GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
PRINCETON, NJ -- By an 8-0 vote on Monday, the Supreme Court struck down state laws legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Despite supporters' claims that marijuana can help reduce pain associated with diseases such as cancer, glaucoma, and AIDS, the Court ruled that that a federal law classifying the drug as illegal has no exception for the ill.
Gallup polling finds the public disagrees with the high court. A March 1999 Gallup poll found that three out of four Americans (73%) support the limited use of marijuana when prescribed by physicians to relieve pain and suffering. This broad support runs across all age groups, with 77% of those aged 18-29, 75% of those 30-49, and 68% of Americans over 50 in favor.
By contrast, Gallup polls dating back to 1969 show overwhelming opposition to the general legalization of marijuana. The most recent poll on the question (conducted August 29-September 5, 2000) shows 64% of Americans opposed and 31% in favor. Support for the general legalization of marijuana is at its highest level ever right now, due in part to a high degree of support from young adults. Nearly half of those between the ages of 18 and 29 (47%) favor the legalization of marijuana. Unlike attitudes toward legalizing medical marijuana, support for thegenerallegalization of marijuana drops significantly among older age groups: 35% of those aged 30-49, 28% in the 50-64 age group, and 12% of those over 65 favor it.
Survey Methods
The results below are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,018 adults, 18 years and older, conducted March 19-21, 1999. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
Suppose that on election day this year you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Please tell me whether you would vote for or against each one of the following propositions. Would you vote [ROTATE A-E]
For or against the legalization of marijuana?
|
For |
Against |
No opinion |
|
|
% |
% |
||
|
1999 Mar 19-21 |
29 |
69 |
2 |
|
1996 Apr 25-28 |
24 |
73 |
3 |
|
1995 Aug 28-30* ** |
25 |
73 |
2 |
|
1985* |
23 |
73 |
4 |
|
1980* |
25 |
70 |
5 |
|
1979* |
25 |
70 |
5 |
|
1977* |
28 |
66 |
6 |
|
1973* |
16 |
78 |
6 |
|
1972* |
15 |
81 |
4 |
|
1969* |
12 |
84 |
4 |
* Question wording:"Do you think the use of marijuana should be made legal, or not?
** Based on interviews with 524 national adults; ± 5 pct pts
For or against making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe in order to reduce pain and suffering?
|
For |
Against |
No opinion |
|
|
1999 Mar 19-21 |
73% |
25 |
2 |
