As the US continues to see a shift in the legal landscape for marijuana, with many states legalizing it for medical or recreational use, Pew Research Center has released new findings on Americans’ attitudes and experiences with marijuana.
Here’s an overview of the key findings:
High support for legalization: About 90% of Americans believe marijuana should be legal in some form, either for medical only (32%) or both medical and recreational uses (57%). Only 11% believe it should not be legal at all. This sentiment has remained relatively stable over the past five years.
Key findings:
Demographic differences in legalization views:
Age: Support is lowest among those 75 and older, with only 31% backing legalization for both medical and recreational use. This contrasts with 71% of those under 30.
Political Affiliation: 42% of Republicans support full legalization, versus 72% of Democrats. More conservative individuals within both groups are less likely to support.
Race and Ethnicity: Hispanic and Asian Americans show lower support (45% each) compared to Black (65%) and White (59%) adults.
Growing General Support: Support for legalization has surged over two decades. In 2023, 70% supported legalization, up from around 30% in 2000.
Usage Trends: 50.3% of US adults have used marijuana at least once, though only 23% used it in the past year and 15.9% in the past month.
Perceived impacts of legalization:
Economic: 52% see legalization as economically beneficial, 17% disagree, and 29% see no impact.
Criminal justice: 42% believe legalization makes the criminal justice system fairer, 18% see a negative impact, and 40% see no change.
Drug use: 27% think legalization reduces the use of drugs like heroin, while 29% believe it increases it, and 42% see no effect.
Community safety: 21% say it increases safety, 34% disagree, and 44% see no impact.
Support for reduced penalties: Two-thirds of adults favor releasing those jailed for marijuana only, and 61% support expunging these offenses from criminal records.
State legalization status: As of March 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use.
This research highlights the complex and evolving relationship between American society and marijuana as legal and societal perceptions continue to change.
Here’s an overview of the key findings:
High support for legalization: About 90% of Americans believe marijuana should be legal in some form, either for medical only (32%) or both medical and recreational uses (57%). Only 11% believe it should not be legal at all. This sentiment has remained relatively stable over the past five years.
Key findings:
Demographic differences in legalization views:
Age: Support is lowest among those 75 and older, with only 31% backing legalization for both medical and recreational use. This contrasts with 71% of those under 30.
Political Affiliation: 42% of Republicans support full legalization, versus 72% of Democrats. More conservative individuals within both groups are less likely to support.
Race and Ethnicity: Hispanic and Asian Americans show lower support (45% each) compared to Black (65%) and White (59%) adults.
Growing General Support: Support for legalization has surged over two decades. In 2023, 70% supported legalization, up from around 30% in 2000.
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Usage Trends: 50.3% of US adults have used marijuana at least once, though only 23% used it in the past year and 15.9% in the past month.
Perceived impacts of legalization:
Economic: 52% see legalization as economically beneficial, 17% disagree, and 29% see no impact.
Criminal justice: 42% believe legalization makes the criminal justice system fairer, 18% see a negative impact, and 40% see no change.
Drug use: 27% think legalization reduces the use of drugs like heroin, while 29% believe it increases it, and 42% see no effect.
Community safety: 21% say it increases safety, 34% disagree, and 44% see no impact.
Support for reduced penalties: Two-thirds of adults favor releasing those jailed for marijuana only, and 61% support expunging these offenses from criminal records.
State legalization status: As of March 2024, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use.
This research highlights the complex and evolving relationship between American society and marijuana as legal and societal perceptions continue to change.