[co-author: Hanna Barker Mullin]
A December 2022 survey from Data for Progress reports that American voters, regardless of political affiliation, support federal cannabis legalization. Specifically, 75% of Democrats, 67% of independents, and 52% of Republicans agreed that cannabis should be legalized at the federal level.
Data for Progress also asked about two equity policies enacted as part of New York’s Marihuana Regulations and Taxation Act (MRTA) that legalized recreational cannabis in the state.
One policy measure reserved 100-200 dispensary licenses for applicants disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. In general, voters surveyed supported this measure by a +23-point margin (57% in support, 34% opposed), with the party breakdown as follows: 69% of Democrats, 59% of independents, and 43% of Republicans.
The other policy stipulated that 40% of the taxes collected would go into a community grant fund for community reinvestment programs like job placement and skill services. This policy was supported by a majority of voters from all three parties: 76% of Democrats, 70% of independents, and 51% of Republicans.
The poll indicates that American voters, regardless of political affiliation, support federal cannabis legalization as well as thoughtful social equity policies.
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