51% of Americans have smoked cannabis, 56% for legalization

A new poll, conducted by the American news network CBS, indicates that 51 % of Americans have tried cannabis. This represents a dramatic increase compared to last year, when only 43% of those surveyed admitted to having used it.

The survey, conducted among 1,020 adults nationwide, shows that 56 % of Americans believe cannabis should be legal (+3% in one year) and only 36% remain opposed to it.  Times are changing; in 1979, only 27% of Americans supported legalization. The acceptance and recognition of medical cannabis have facilitated these shifts in opinion. Now, 9 out of 10 people approve of low-dose cannabis treatments if a doctor believes they will be beneficial to the patient.

In detail

7 out of 10 young adults believe marijuana should be legal nationwide, an increase of 10 % in one year. In contrast, 69% of older adults, aged 65 and older, remain firmly opposed. This study also compares Democratic, Republican, and independent supporters. Democrats are 63 % in favor of legalization, compared to 44% among Republicans. Here, 50% of Socialist Party supporters are somewhat in favor, while only 27 % of Republicans are in favor. And we’re only talking about decriminalization in France.

In the same survey, 52 % of respondents consider cannabis less dangerous than alcohol, 27% consider it just as dangerous, and only 9% of those surveyed believe that weed causes more harm. Going even further, 68 % of Americans who have tried weed think alcohol is more harmful. Finally, 6 out of 10 people support allowing each state to decide independently whether or not to legalize cannabis.

CBS Poll

The tide is turning, and things are looking good for legalization advocates in the United States.

Théo Caillart