(Alexandria, VA) – According to a new national Emerson College poll, 62% of registered voters do not support legalizing marijuana when presented with other, non-legalization policy options.
Polls touted by promoters of the marijuana industry as showing widespread support for legalization offer a false dichotomy by perpetuating the myth that there are only two options, full legalization or full prohibition.
This new poll, conducted by Emerson College, found that the majority of voters support other non-legalization marijuana policies (prohibition, decriminalization, or medical legalization) while only 38% believe the country should move to legalize and commercialize marijuana for production, recreational use, and sales, like in stores. Support is notably low among African-Americans, with only 31% supporting recreational legalization.
Support is also low within groups that are traditionally considered to be pro-legalization. 57% of people aged 18-34 and 59% of Democrats oppose legalization.
Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a former drug policy advisor to the Obama Administration released the following statement on the poll results:
“Big Pot, which is rapidly being taken over by the giants of Big Tobacco, Big Alcohol, and even Big Pharma, wants lawmakers to believe it enjoys widespread support among voters. It pushes this false narrative with the public and uses decision-makers to expand its addiction-for-profit business model. Marijuana legalization isn’t about social justice, or any other line Big Pot will try to sell you—it is about profits. We believe more Americans are waking up to the reality that today’s pot movement isn’t Woodstock and peace, it is about Wall Street and profit.”