A sizable majority of New Jersey voters would vote to legalize marijuana in November, according to a new Monmouth University Poll released three days after “Weed Day.”

The poll, which finds that 61% of voters back a referendum measure legalizing recreational pot, indicates wide support among Democrats (74%) and unaffiliated voters (64%). Republicans are less pot-friendly: 40% support the measure.

The findings echo what other polls have found nationwide: Marijuana legalization is a broadly popular idea. A Fox News poll from December found 63% support among all registered voters.

“Support for the marijuana ballot measure is widespread in part because many who have no opinion on whether legalization is a good idea figure they might as well vote for it,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.

Support for legalizing marijuana has grown since 2014, when a Monmouth poll said voters were split 48% in favor and 47% opposed.

New numbers out:More than 850,000 New Jersey workers filed for unemployment since COVID-19 crisis began

By-the-numbers:Browse our library of NJ coronavirus data

High Hopes: We went west to show you how New Jersey could look with legal weed

If voters approve the measure, New Jersey would be the 12th state to fully legalize marijuana. It also is legal in Washington, D.C.

Legalizing marijuana for people over 21 was one of Gov. Phil Murphy’s campaign promises in 2017, with Murphy saying then that a pot tax would generate about $300 million for the state's coffers each year. But a legislative plan to enact the pledge ran into resistance from more conservative Democrats in the state Legislature, which voted to put the question to voters this fall instead.

The Monmouth poll, released Thursday morning, says 34% of voters would vote against the marijuana legalization question and 5% have no opinion.

The poll found that 62% of voters think making recreational pot legal would help the state’s economy, including 55% of Republicans, and 27% think it would lead to an increase in other drug crimes.

Terrence T. McDonald is a reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: mcdonaldt@northjersey.com Twitter: @terrencemcd