7 In 10 US Voters Support Federal Marijuana Reform, And Nearly Half Would View Trump More Favorably If He Took Action, Poll Shows
From toxifillers.com with love
Seven in 10 American voters want to see the end of federal marijuana prohibition—and nearly half say they’d view the Trump administration more favorably if it took action on the issue—according to a new poll.
The survey, commissioned by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) and conducted by the firm Forbes Tate Partners, asked a series of questions to gauge public opinion about cannabis policy issues.
It found that 70 percent of respondents said they back “reforming federal cannabis law, thus ending the federal prohibition on cannabis for adult-use,” and 69 percent said they support “allowing individual states to decide whether cannabis will be legal in their state.”
The poll also provided additional data on the political advantage for lawmakers and officials who embrace reform. Nearly half of voters (48 percent) said they’d be more likely to vote for a candidate who backs cannabis policy changes at the federal level, while just 15 percent said they’d be less likely and 26 percent said it depends on the politician’s stance on other issues.
About 45 percent said they would view the Trump administration “much more” or “somewhat more” favorably if the White House acted on reform. This comes as an administrative marijuana rescheduling process initiated under former President Joe Biden has stalled.
Pollsters also collected data on the reasons why people would view the administration agenda more favorably in the case that it backs reform. Respondents gave a variety of responses, including the prevailing sentiment that they’d feel “the Trump administration was actually paying attention to what the states want to do.”
Other reasons include:
- “Because I agree with that policy, whereas I don’t agree with much of anything he is doing currently.”
- “It provides more jobs, revenue, and health benefits for Americans.”
- “It would be easier for law enforcement officers and governments to do their work.”
- “Because he is doing the right thing for the American people. Letting them decide and be in control.”
The survey also asked about a specific piece of legislation—the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) 2.0 Act—which would end federal marijuana prohibition in states that have legalized it, while providing for a basic federal regulatory framework for cannabis products.
It found that 61 percent of Americans are in favor of that specific proposal, with just 27 percent opposed.
“This is not about expanding federal power—it’s about limiting it,” Shanita Penny, executive director of CPEAR, said in a press release. “The STATES 2.0 Act respects the will of voters, reinforces states’ rights, and ensures law enforcement can focus on real public safety threats—not outdated cannabis laws. It’s time for Congress and the administration to act on a policy the American people clearly support.”
The survey from CPEAR, whose membership includes large tobacco and alcohol companies, concluded by saying the findings “make one thing clear: voters across the political spectrum continue to support commonsense cannabis reforms that respect state decisions, enhance public safety, and reflect evolving attitudes.”
“The STATES 2.0 Act offers a pragmatic path forward—balancing individual liberty with responsible regulation,” it said. “As the national conversation around cannabis policy progresses, lawmakers have a clear mandate from the public to modernize federal law in a way that empowers states and protects communities.”
The survey involved interviews with 2,051 registered voters aged 21 or older from May 13-19.
Last year, CPEAR released a separate poll focused on voters in Missouri, Ohio and Wyoming that found a strong majority—including more than 60 percent of Republicans—support congressional legislation to protect states’ rights to set their own marijuana laws.
Relatedly, a poll released this week that Marijuana Moment partnered on with the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD showed that a majority of marijuana consumers disapprove of the Trump administration’s actions on cannabis policy to date, but there’s also a significant willingness among users to shift their position if the federal government opts to reschedule or legalize marijuana.
Earlier this year, meanwhile, a firm associated with Trump—Fabrizio, Lee & Associates—also polled Americans on a series of broader marijuana policy issues. Notably, it found that a majority of Republicans back cannabis rescheduling—and, notably, they’re even more supportive of allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average voter.
That same firm released a poll this week finding that Texas Democratic and Republican voters are unified in their opposition to a bill on the governor’s desk that would ban consumable hemp products with any trace of THC.
Meanwhile, Trump is facing scrutiny from advocates who had hoped to see him complete the cannabis rescheduling process. While Trump endorsed the proposal—as well as industry banking access and a Florida legalization ballot initiative, on the campaign trail last year—he’s since been publicly silent on the issue.
As part of his latest budget request, the president also again proposed to remove existing protections for states that have legalized medical marijuana, while maintaining a ban that’s prevented Washington, D.C. from enacting a system of regulated adult-use cannabis sales.
Last month, a Senate committee advanced the confirmation of Terrance Cole to become the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) amid the ongoing review of a marijuana rescheduling proposal that he’s refused to commit to enacting.
Cole—who has previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana and linked its use to higher suicide risk among youth—said he would “give the matter careful consideration after consulting with appropriate personnel within the Drug Enforcement Administration, familiarizing myself with the current status of the regulatory process, and reviewing all relevant information.”
However, during an in-person hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in April, he said examining the rescheduling proposal will be “one of my first priorities” if he was confirmed for the role, saying it’s “time to move forward” on the stalled process—but again without clarifying what end result he would like to see.
Separately in April, an activist who received a pardon for a marijuana-related conviction during Trump’s first term paid a visit to the White House, discussing future clemency options with the recently appointed “pardon czar.”
A marijuana industry-backed political action committee (PAC) has also released a series of ads over recent months that have attacked Biden’s cannabis policy record as well as the nation of Canada, promoting sometimes misleading claims about the last administration while making the case that Trump can deliver on reform.
Its latest ad accused former President Joe Biden and his DEA of waging a “deep state war” against medical cannabis patients—but without mentioning that the former president himself initiated the rescheduling process that marijuana companies want to see completed under Trump.
GOP Marijuana Banking Bill Sponsor Says He’s Not Thinking About Advancing It Until The Fall Amid Competing Priorities
The post 7 In 10 US Voters Support Federal Marijuana Reform, And Nearly Half Would View Trump More Favorably If He Took Action, Poll Shows appeared first on Marijuana Moment.