A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF POLICY AND OPINION ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Junior

Major

Political Science

Minor

Applied Statistics

Institution

Northern Kentucky University

KY House District #

63

KY Senate District #

23

Department

Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership

Abstract

What contributes to support for marijuana legalization? Recent research suggests that the American electorate is gradually altering their opinions towards favoring the legalization of marijuana. Multiple experiments involving public opinion have supported this hypothesis, but the difference in support for recreational and medicinal usage has not been adequately examined. In recent years, more states have begun to decriminalize the substance and propose policies that would effectively legalize the recreational usage of marijuana. We conduct an original survey to examine these beliefs in the current policy context. Our findings suggest that voters support the legalization of medicinal marijuana at significantly higher rates than recreational marijuana.

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A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF POLICY AND OPINION ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

What contributes to support for marijuana legalization? Recent research suggests that the American electorate is gradually altering their opinions towards favoring the legalization of marijuana. Multiple experiments involving public opinion have supported this hypothesis, but the difference in support for recreational and medicinal usage has not been adequately examined. In recent years, more states have begun to decriminalize the substance and propose policies that would effectively legalize the recreational usage of marijuana. We conduct an original survey to examine these beliefs in the current policy context. Our findings suggest that voters support the legalization of medicinal marijuana at significantly higher rates than recreational marijuana.