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Most Americans agree recreational marijuana should be legal.

A 2022 Gallup poll found 59% support for legalizing marijuana among American adults, up from 12% in 1969, the first year the polling company asked about marijuana. The poll first surpassed 50% support in 2011. [249] [276]

According to Gallup, “the transformation in public attitudes about marijuana over the past half-century has mirrored the liberalization of public attitudes about gay rights and the same-sex-marriage movement.” While Democrats (73%) have been more likely to back legalization historically, 45% of Republicans overall agree with legalization. However, 62% of younger Republicans (18 to 29) support legalization for recreational use. [67] [276]

NORML, which lobbies for marijuana legalization, states, “Most Americans agree with NORML that responsible marijuana consumers should not be treated like criminals. Eight in ten Americans support the medical use of marijuana, and two-thirds of adults favor legalizing marijuana for adults.” As evidence, 40 states took some action to relax their drug laws (such as decriminalizing or lowering penalties for possession) between 2009 and 2013. And, as of Jan. 31, 2023, DC and 21 states had legalized recreational marijuana, while DC and 37 states had legalized medical marijuana. [69] [70] [277]

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