The struggle continues to match federal policies with the majority of the public, but there is emerging a potential new ally.
As cannabis rescheduling is languishing in DC, a striking shift has taken place. Guess who is a big supporter of legalizing marijuana? A broad bipartisan consensus is forming around cannabis legalization—with Republicans increasingly joining the push. Polling from Pew Research reveals 88% of U.S. adults believe cannabis should be legal in some form—whether for medical or recreational purposes
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This aligns with a broader conservative trend favoring limited federal government and local control. Increasingly, Republican lawmakers argue that cannabis regulation should be a state issue—not a federally enforced one-size-fits-all policy.
Another driver of change: baby boomers and seniors. Once the backbone of anti-drug sentiment, older Americans are now among the growing base of legalization supporters. Pew’s data shows nearly half of Americans 65 and older support both medical and recreational cannabis, and only one in five oppose legalization entirely.
This evolution reflects not only shifting cultural attitudes but also growing recognition of cannabis’s medical potential, especially among older adults managing chronic pain or illness.
Many Republicans also see a fiscal opportunity. Legal cannabis generated over $2 billion in tax revenue in Colorado and over $1 billion in California, funding education, infrastructure, and health programs. Nationally, over half of Americans (52%) say legalization positively impacts local economies.
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States facing budget shortfalls—some led by GOP governors—are increasingly looking to cannabis as a revenue source. Iowa, for example, is reportedly considering legalization as a solution to fill financial gaps left by tax cuts.
While economic arguments dominate, justice reform plays a role too. Pew’s data shows 42% of Americans believe legalization makes the criminal justice system fairer, with only 18% disagreeing. With bipartisan concern over mass incarceration, Republican lawmakers are now exploring cannabis reform as a step toward justice system balance.
As cannabis legalization moves from fringe to mainstream, Republicans are reshaping the narrative. Backed by strong voter support, economic incentives, and shifting generational views, cannabis policy is becoming a bipartisan cause—and a politically savvy one heading into 2026. If only the administration would pay attention.
