It took just one week for the American public to send a clear message to Attorney General Jeff Sessions: Keep your hands off of our legal marijuana and we don’t care much for you or your politics.
Three separate polls released this week forcefully conclude that the voters disagree with Sessions’ reversal of Obama-era protections that relaxed federal marijuana laws in states where it is legalized. “The demographics say [cannabis] is here to stay, either for fun or to provide medical comfort. And the message to Attorney General Jeff Sessions: Hands off,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Here is a quick look at the three new polls:
Quinnipiac
In addition to the overwhelming support for medical marijuana, the Quinnipiac poll also revealed that Sessions is extremely unpopular. American voters have a 47-14 percent unfavorable opinion of the attorney general. That percentage would likely be higher, but 37 percent haven’t heard enough about him to form an opinion.
Seven out of every 1o voters oppose enforcing federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized medical or recreational marijuana. Not one demographic group supports enforcing federal laws.
The Quinnipiac poll found that 58 of voters think recreational marijuana should be legal — 79 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds hold that view. When it comes to medical marijuana, 91 percent want it. Only 6 percent said they opposed medical marijuana.
Every party, gender, education, age and racial group supports legalization of marijuana except Republicans, who are opposed 62 – 33 percent, and voters over 65 years old, who are opposed 50 – 41 percent. Hispanic voters are divided 48 – 48 percent.
Rasmussen
A Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that 56 percent of American voters believe cannabis laws should be enforced at the state level. Only 29 percent want the federal government to set the regulations.
All demographic groups agree that this is a states’-rights issue. By party, 57 percent of Republicans and 56 percent of Democrats agree. Among unaffiliated voters, 54 percent agree.
HuffPost/YouGov
Echoing the other two surveys, the HuffPost/YouGov poll found that Americans reject Sessions’ action last week. According to this poll, 56 percent oppose federal efforts to stop the sale and use of marijuana in legal states — 44 percent STRONGLY opposed federal interference. Only 30 percent of those surveyed agreed with Sessions.
The HuffPost/YouGov poll revealed that Americans want this issue left up to the individual states. Nearly half, 47 percent want marijuana laws determined at the state level, and only 32 percent believe it’s a federal issue. Another 22 percent were undecided.
