Florida voters support legalized marijuana for medical use 88 – 10 percent, with support ranging from 83 – 14 percent among voters over 65 years old to 95 – 5 percent among voters 18 to 29 years old, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
The lowest level of support is 80 – 19 percent among Republicans, the poll finds.
Sunshine State voters also support 55 – 41 percent “allowing adults in Florida to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” or so-called “recreational marijuana.” There is a wide gender gap and an even wider age gap: Men back recreational marijuana 61 – 36 percent while women back it by a narrow 49 – 45 percent. Voters 18 to 29 years old are ready to roll 72 – 25, while voters over 65 years old are opposed 59 – 36 percent. Support is 64 – 32 percent among Democrats and 55 – 40 percent among independent voters, with Republicans opposed 56 – 41 percent.
“Even though a proposal to legalize medical marijuana, on the ballot this November, must meet a 60 percent threshold, these numbers make a strong bet the referendum is likely to pass,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll.
If medical marijuana is legalized in Florida, voters say 71 – 26 percent they would support having a marijuana dispensary in the town or city where they live. Support ranges from 57 – 37 percent among voters over 65 years old to 79 – 21 percent among voters 18 to 29 years old.
The gender and age gaps persist as 44 percent of Florida voters say they have tried marijuana. That includes 51 percent of men, 39 percent of women, 48 percent of voters 18 to 29 years old and 23 percent of voters over 65 years old. “No ‘Not in My Backyard’ mentality here. By an almost 3-1 majority, Florida voters would allow a medical marijuana dispensary near where they live,” Brown said.
From July 17 – 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,251 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.