Survey: More Than 2-in-3 Support Cannabis Legalization
According to a new survey, two out of three Pennsylvanians support the legalization of recreational cannabis in the Commonwealth.
ResponsiblePA unveiled independent polling that indicated 68 percent of respondents back proposed legislation. That number rises to nearly 3-in-4 (75%) when voters were given more information about the issue.
The survey – conducted by Change Research – was conducted January 25-30 among 1,129 registered voters.
According to the pollsters’ data, Democrats are particularly supportive of the legislation (85%), while independents (62%) and Republicans (53%) trail. GOP voters increase their support when given more information about implementation options, rising nine points to 62%.
Perhaps not surprisingly, younger voters show the most enthusiasm for potential legalization of recreational cannabis, as those between 18-34 (78%) and 35-49 (77%) are strongly supportive. Even older Pennsylvania respondents back the possibility with 75% of those between 50-64 and 69% among seniors 65 and over supportive of the legislation.
“This poll illustrates in no uncertain terms that Pennsylvanians, irrespective of their political views, want Pennsylvania to legalize adult-use cannabis and they strongly support doing it right now. Public opinion in Pennsylvania has moved significantly and all segments of the electorate are now strongly onboard, clearing the pathway for meaningful reform that reflects the desire of Pennsylvanians,” said ResponsiblePA spokesperson Brittany Crampsie.
Geographic support transcends Pennsylvania’s urban-rural divide, though, with Philadelphia City leading with 79% support, matched by 74% support in Allegheny County. Central Pennsylvania trails the cities at 61%.
“At a time when the Commonwealth is watching critical funding for education, infrastructure, and public safety – Pennsylvanians are going across state lines to buy cannabis,” said Crampsie. “In addition to being an extremely popular policy, regulated adult-use cannabis market is the best shot to generate and realize additional recurring revenue for Pennsylvania. This isn’t just about what Pennsylvanians want – it’s about what the state needs. We are encouraging lawmakers to take note and heed the will of voters.”
“I don’t see any path whatsoever,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-Lancaster/Berks) said in an interview on Tuesday, responding to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget request to enact legalization.
“There’s many states that have promised revenues that never materialized on the level that they said, but there’s something to be said about not jumping fully into the pool when you can’t answer all those questions,” he said, adding that the argument that Pennsylvania should pass the reform based on surrounding states doing so is a “pretty weak excuse.”
House Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) had a different perspective on the governor’s budget plan, echoing Shapiro’s argument about the state’s loss of revenue to neighboring legal states.
“People are going across the state line to go buy cannabis in New York and New Jersey,” he told WGAL. “That’s our tax dollars that should be here. I can’t understand why people wouldn’t want to keep that money in Pennsylvania.”
“The governor needs to lead on something. If he wants something done, he needs to lead on it,” Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said. “He can’t throw an idea out there – which he did last year – and say, ‘Let the legislature figure it out. I’ll sign it. Then I’ll go do press conferences all over the state.’”
