Oct 29, 2010
A new Gallup poll released yesterday shows that a record number of Americans believe marijuana should be made legal, while support for keeping it illegal continues to decline steadily. As Californians prepare to vote on Proposition 19 on Tuesday, a record 46% of Americans “think the use of marijuana should be made legal” – up from 44% last year, according to Gallup. An all-time low of 50% believe marijuana should remain illegal.
These numbers are more evidence that Americans are increasingly rejecting the notion that otherwise law-abiding adults should be criminalized for using a substance that is less harmful than alcohol. To put these latest results in perspective, more Americans now support legalizing marijuana than approve of President Obama’s job performance.
According to Gallup’s most recent polling average, 44 percent of Americans currently approve of President Obama’s job performance.
Gallup found that support for making marijuana legal was highest among liberals (72%), 18- to 29-year-olds (61%) and people living in the West (58%). Majority support also exists among Democrats, independents, men, and moderates.
No matter what happens on Election Day next week, these numbers show that nationally, support for ending prohibition continues to trend in the right direction. "If the trend of the past decade continues at a similar pace, majority support could be a reality within the next few years," according to Gallup.