According to a recent poll, a majority of Utah voters favor legalizing marijuana for adult use in the state.
A survey by Noble Predictive Insights commissioned to Keep Utah Medical found that 52% of Utah voters registered would be in favor of a ballot measure ending cannabis prohibition while only 38% would not.
The highest level of support for legalization came from Democrats (76%) followed by Independents (61%) and Republicans (41%).
“YES divides and wins both the middle and left.” In a red state like Utah, that’s enough to get to a solid—though not overwhelming—margin of victory,” the polling firm said in a memo.
“Over the last decade, major political victories came from a populist-traditionalist coalition: The GOP’s wings would coalesce, form a majority together, and govern. If legalization were to win, the coalition would be built from left to right—a progressive minority joining with the center and Republican moderates. This is possible—but it requires careful execution.”
Alex Iorg is the co-founder and CEO of Keep Utah Medical. He told ABC4 on Monday that, while poll results indicate that a measure to restrict adult use could pass narrowly, his organization does not plan to take the lead in promoting such a measure.
The majority supports recreational marijuana use, because it’s easier for them to understand. [than] “Utah’s current health care program”, he stated.
We need to simplify the navigation of our medical program. Telemedicine is needed by rural, disabled and other patients. [they] “Can do for other medication,” he stated. “Out of state recreational dispensaries enjoy more rights to advertise than Utah medical pharmacies. “We have to equalize the playing field.”
This is the full text of the poll question that was asked by voters.
Currently medical marijuana is allowed in Utah. However, some Utahns continue to obtain it illegally, both for recreational and medical purposes. Would you support or oppose a ballot initiative that legalized marijuana for all purposes—including recreational use?”
This survey included interviews of 609 Utah registered voters between March 11 and 13, with an error margin of +/- 3,97 percentage points.
When asked about the prospects of adult use legalization, House Speaker Mike Schultz said that he had a “huge issue with making Utah a recreational State.”
It’s just not going to be the case, he told me.
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Utahans’ support for legalization is on the rise, according to a recent survey.
Noble Predictive Insights conducted a similar poll in late 2012, which found that half of all respondents supported the reform. Additional 38 percent said only doctors can recommend medical cannabis. Just 9 percent of respondents said that marijuana should remain illegal.
Recent years have seen the legislature of California take steps to expand on its medical marijuana law.
Despite being known for its political conservatism, Utah’s legislature separately passed legislation authorizing a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as an alternative treatment option. The governor let that law take effect without his signature last year.
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Says Marijuana Legalization Is ‘Inevitable’ As State Is ‘Bleeding Out Revenue’ To Neighboring States
Mike Latimer provided the photo.
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