Poll: 75 percent of Texans support either legalization or decriminalization of marijuana

Marijuana legalization



50% of Texans oppose legalizing marijuana, but of those who oppose, 57% support decriminalization. Marijuana legalization



50% of Texans oppose legalizing marijuana, but of those who oppose, 57% support decriminalization. Photo: Gosia Wozniacka / Associated Press Photo: Gosia Wozniacka / Associated Press Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Poll: 75 percent of Texans support either legalization or decriminalization of marijuana 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN – A new poll suggests Texans are increasingly supportive of gay marriage and legalization of marijuana.

The poll released Wednesday by the non-profit, non-partisan Texas Lyceum surveyed 1,000 adult Texans Sept. 8-21. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. It was overseen by University of Texas at Austin professor Daron Shaw.



It showed that 49 percent of Texans support gay marriage, up from 25 percent in 2009. It also showed 46 percent back legalizing marijuana use, up from 33 percent in 2011.

Of those who oppose legalization of marijuana, 57 percent support decriminalization. Overall, 74.5 percent support either legalization or decriminalization.

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The poll also found that Texans still consider immigration the most important issue facing the state, and they support lawmakers’ increased spending on border security.



The survey included a question on race-based discrimination, asking whether people felt discriminated against by police or a potential employer because of their race or ethnic background.



Seventeen percent of Texans said they had felt discriminated against by police, and 22 percent by an employer or potential employer.



Only 4 percent of whites but 24 percent of Hispanics and 45 percent of black respondents said they had felt discriminated against by police. On the employer question, 11 percent of whites had felt discrimination, along with 27 percent of Hispanics and 42 percent of black Texans.



The survey also included football, finding that 72 percent of Texans would encourage children to play football. The Texas Lyceum pointed out this is in contrast to national polls showing 40 percent of Americans overall would discourage their children from playing youth football.



In addition, it addressed climate change, finding Texans say they are not overly concerned about the issue but 67 percent would support new regulations on private companies.



Read more analysis of these numbers at expressnews.com



pfikac@express-news.net



Twitter: @pfikac

Correction: This story corrects a previous version that said 80 percent of Texans support either legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. The Texas Lyceum research director provided the 80 percent figure. The poll actually showed 19.5 percent of Texans oppose both legalization and decriminalization, but 74.5% expressed support for either legalization or decriminalization.

