So far, 10 states — along with the District of Columbia — have legalized medical and recreational marijuana. New Mexico could be the 11th to join that group, as state legislators continue to push the issue. Regardless of where you live, you’ve probably heard some sort of conversation relating to the legalization of marijuana. Furthermore, you’ve probably heard about the growing — and legitimate — cannabis industry.
Times have changed, and so have opinions.
Years ago, many frowned upon the idea of legal marijuana and/or cannabis-related businesses.
Today, more and more are in favor of the idea. According to reports, better than 60-percent of those surveyed were in support.
The following is a re-post of an article from Leafly, which cites a report from the Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A growing majority of Americans say marijuana should be legal, underscoring a national shift as more states embrace cannabis for medical or adult use.
Support for legal marijuana hit 61 percent in 2018, up from 57 percent two years ago, according to the General Social Survey, a widely respected trend survey that has been measuring support for legal marijuana since the 1970s.
An analysis of the survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the General Social Survey staff finds that increased backing of legalization cut across all age groups and political parties. The 2018 poll is the first in which a majority of Republicans support legalizing marijuana — 54 percent, up from 45 percent in 2016.
Among Democrats, 76 percent now favor legalization.
The rising support mirrors the evolving legal landscape across the country. Most Americans now live in places where marijuana is legal in some form, with 10 states allowing recreational usage and more than 30 allowing medicinal use.
The GSS asks about making use of marijuana legal, but does not specify whether it should be legal for recreational or medical use.
Legalization advocates say the increasing public support should prompt the U.S. government to reverse course. At the federal level, marijuana is categorized as a dangerous illegal drug, similar to LSD or heroin.
“Our time has come,” said Justin Strekal, political director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML. “Never in modern history has there existed greater public support for ending the nation’s nearly century-long experiment with marijuana prohibition.”
Support for legalization is strongest among 18-to-34-year-olds, with nearly 75 percent favoring it.
This article was first published on https://www.cannabisimp.com.