Gallup Poll released a new cannabis legalization poll on November 4. They found that over ⅔ of Americans support cannabis legalization, with final results being 68 percent in favor. Across all demographics, results showed a majority in favor of legalization. The smallest group, those who identify politically as Republicans, showed 50 percent legalization support. The largest group in favor of legalization are those who identify as Democrats, with an 83 percent in support.

Results

Gallup released their results and a brief description of their findings:

“Gallup has documented increasing support for legalizing marijuana over more than five decades, with particularly sharp increases occurring in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2013, a majority of Americans, for the first time, supported legalization.

“As was the case in 2020, solid majorities of U.S. adults in all major subgroups by gender, age, income and education support legalizing marijuana.

“Substantive differences are seen, however, by political party and religion. While most Democrats (83%) and political independents (71%) support legalization, Republicans are nearly evenly split on the question (50% in favor; 49% opposed). Weekly and semiregular attendees of religious services are split on the issue as well, while those who attend infrequently or never are broadly supportive of legalizing marijuana.”

Since Gallup started this annual cannabis legalization survey, they have seen drastic results in more recent years. In 1969, only 12 percent of American adults were in favor of cannabis legalization. Approval didn’t reach over 50 percent until 2011, when more states were legalizing medical cannabis. 60 percent approval for cannabis legalization came in 2016. Support has slowly grown over the past five years to 68 percent this year. 

For the 2021 poll, Gallup conducted phone interviews with 823 adults between October 1 and October 19. They estimate a margin of error +/- four percent.

Next Steps

However, with a majority of citizens who support cannabis legalization, there could still be a delay for when that actually becomes a law. A few high profile lawmakers oppose legalization. Because of this lack of push towards legalization, it will take more people in support for legalization to finally move forward. 

This could be a reason why the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow cannabis companies to work with banks, has previously stalled. There has been a push recently to pass the SAFE Banking Act, but it has stalled in the Senate. If the act doesn’t pass by the end of the year, it will become dead. To reconsider the act, it must become reintroduced and debated once again before it can move forward. As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis, hemp, and psychedelic related news.