It is a small sample size; but it is interesting (and fun) to peruse data. Pollees were also asked on legalizing ecstasy, powder cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine. Questions on whether or not America has a drug abuse problem, and whether they consider the War on Drugs a failure or success, were also included.
I do think this is the poll with the highest support for marijuana legalization hitherto.
From:
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/43975/majority-of-americans-ready-to-legalize-marijuana/Many Americans continue to believe that marijuana should be legalized, but are not supportive of making other drugs readily available, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample of 1,003 American adults, 55 per cent of respondents support the legalization of marijuana, while 40 per cent oppose it.
The groups that are the most supportive of making cannabis legal in the U.S. are Democrats (63%), Independents (61%), Men (57%) and respondents aged 35-to-54 (57%).
However, only 10 per cent of Americans support legalizing ecstasy. Smaller proportions of respondents would consent to the legalization of powder cocaine (9%), heroin (8%), methamphetamine or “crystal meth” (7%), and crack cocaine (7%).
Across the country, 64 per cent of respondents believe America has a serious drug abuse problem that affects the entire United States, while one-in-five (20%) perceive a drug abuse problem that is confined to specific areas and people. One-in-twenty Americans (5%) think America does not have a serious drug abuse problem.
Only nine per cent of respondents believe the “War on Drugs”—the efforts of the U.S. government to reduce the illegal drug trade—has been a success, while two thirds (67%) deem it a failure.
The PDF containing data gathered (available at the link above) is here:
http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011.08.09_Drugs_USA.pdfCurious tidbits:
Although more Republicans and Independents consider the War on Drugs a failure (69% and 70%, respectively) than Democrats (65%), more Democrats support legalizing the drugs in the survey than the Republicans and Independents.
Those in the 35-54 and 55+ categories support marijuana legalization (57%, and 54%, respectively) more than those aged 18-34 (53%). 41% aged 18-34 oppose legalization, 37% of those aged 35-54 oppose it, while 43% of those aged 55+ oppose it. 6% from 18-34 and 6% from 35-54 are unsure. 3% are unsure in the 55+ group.
In total, 24% of those surveyed are not sure on whether or not the War on Drugs is a failure or success.
Enormous chasm between marijuana legalization and the next most supported (ecstasy), with a sharp drop from 55% down to 10%. Not terribly surprising, but it makes me wonder if there's anything in between.
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