Public support for cannabis legalization in the United States rose to a record 62 percent, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center.
The poll, which was published Monday, shows that the level of support this year rose 1 percentage point from last year’s number. The current support level has already doubled since the year 2000, wherein public support for legalization was 31 percent.
The study started in 1969.
Medical or recreational marijuana?
This number simply means that there are more Americans now than ever before who believe that the use of cannabis should be legalized.
Pew Research asked participants whether they think cannabis should generally be legalized and did not ask them whether they think it should be legalized for a specific purpose, such as for medical or therapeutic purposes only, for recreational purposes, or for both.
The survey was conducted by phone from September 18 to 24 and involved 1,754 adults. It has a margin of error of 2.7 percentage points.
Support level by age group
According to the report, 74 percent of millennials, 63 percent of Gen Xers, and 54 percent of baby boomers are in favor of legalized marijuana. The only ones who are not yet on board are those from the Silent Generation — or those who were born between 1928-1945 — with only 39 percent of them supporting legalization.
Support level by other demographics
Republicans are split on the issue, with 45 percent in favor of legalization and 51 percent against it. Democrats, on the other hand, are more supportive of legalization, with 69 percent of them saying they are ready for federal legalization.
Meanwhile, evangelicals also seemed rather conflicted, with 43 percent in favor and 52 percent opposed. Hispanic Americans look like they are on the fence, too, with 48 percent expressing their support and 50 percent saying it should remain illegal.
More men are also in favor of legalization than women. Specifically, 68 percent of men and 56 percent of women think cannabis should be made legal.
Additionally, 66 percent of white Americans support legalization, compared to 56 percent of black Americans.