GOP Congressional Lawmakers Tout Poll Showing Republican Voters Back Federal Marijuana Legalization
Federal Legalization of Cannabis will happen this year, mark my words!!!!
February 23, 2023
Three Republican members of Congress are celebrating the results of a new poll showing that more than two-thirds of likely 2024 GOP presidential primary and caucus voters support federally legalizing marijuana so that states can make their own decisions on the issue.
The survey, released on Wednesday by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), found that 68 percent of respondents back ending federal marijuana prohibition. There was majority support across age, gender, educational and religious groups.
The overall level of backing for reform has increased by 10 points from a similar poll the group conducted a year ago.
The new survey from CPEAR, which is funded by several alcohol and tobacco companies, included a separate question similarly finding that 70 percent support “allowing individual states to decide whether cannabis will be legal in their state.”
GOP lawmakers who have championed marijuana reform in Congress are welcoming the results.
“The polling is clear: federal cannabis prohibition is in direct contradiction to the overwhelming will of the American electorate, including a notable majority of conservative voters,” Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH), who is a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, said. “I hope more of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will heed the call of their constituents and join me in working towards a safe and effectively regulated legal marketplace that respects the rights of the over 40 states that have enacted some varying degree of legality. Continued inaction is no longer tenable.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), who is another Cannabis Caucus co-chair, said that the survey result “isn’t surprising,” pointing to conservatives’ belief in states’ rights.
“At its core, cannabis is a state issue, and that’s what I’ll continue to advocate for: commonsense federal policy that lets 50 states decide on 50 solutions that are best for their constituents,” he said.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who filed a comprehensive marijuana legalization bill in the last Congress called the States Reform Act (SRA), said that “it appears the only place where cannabis reform is unpopular is in Washington, D.C.”
“It is time we give states the power to make decisions around cannabis without fear of federal consequences,” she said. “The provisions found in the SRA strike a balance between what voters are asking for and what regulatory framework exists for other industries. The ball is in our court as members of Congress to bring this legislation across the finish line.”
