Pew Research: 9 out of 10 Americans Support the Legalization of Cannabis

In recent years, the issue of legalizing cannabis in the United States has become a hotly debated topic.

A new survey from the Pew Research Center shows that support for legalizing cannabis , both for medical and recreational purposes, is greater than ever. As many as 88% of American adults believe that marijuana should be legal at least for medical purposes, indicating growing public acceptance of the topic.

Read what the new Pew Research found out about the support of cannabis legalization by Americans and read the most important cannabis news from around the world with the Hemp.im mobile app.

Pew Research: General acceptance of cannabis legalization

The Pew Research Center survey, conducted January 16-21, 2024 among 5,140 U.S. adults, reveals impressive numbers. Nearly six in ten Americans (57%) support legalizing cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes.

Additionally, about one-third (32%) of respondents believe that cannabis should be legal only for medical purposes. Only 11% of respondents believe that cannabis should not be legal under any circumstances.

Positive effects of legalization on the economy

One of the key arguments of legalization supporters is the potential positive impact on the local economy. About 52% of Americans agree that legalizing recreational cannabis use benefits the local economy, while only 17% believe it has a negative impact. The remaining 29% of respondents see no impact on the economy.

Impact on the criminal justice system

Another important aspect of the debate is the fairness of the penal system. According to the survey, more American adults believe that legalizing recreational marijuana makes the justice system more fair (42%) rather than less fair (18%); 38% see no impact.

Pew Research: Public health and safety

Americans have mixed feelings about the impact of cannabis legalization on public health and safety. Some 29% of respondents believe legalization increases the use of other drugs such as heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, while 27% believe their use is decreasing (42% see no effect). Moreover, 34% of Americans believe that legalizing cannabis makes communities less safe, while 21% say it makes communities safer (44% see no effect).

Party and demographic divisions

There are significant differences in opinions about cannabis legalization depending on party affiliation and age. For example, 72% of Democrats support legalizing cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes, compared to 42% of Republicans. Additionally, younger adults are much more likely to support legalization than older adults.

Summary of the Pew Research

Data from the Pew Research Center shows that support for legalizing cannabis in the United States is strong and stable. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans support legalizing cannabis at least for medical purposes, indicating changing attitudes toward the substance.

The discussion about cannabis legalization is complex and multidimensional, encompassing economic, social justice, public health and safety aspects. However, growing public acceptance and positive perceptions of the potential benefits of legalization point to the direction future drug policies in the US may take.

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(Featured image by MurrPhoto via Pixabay)

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