FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 24, 2019 –
CONTACT: Colton Grace [email protected] (864)-492-6719
New National Poll: 62% of Registered Voters Disapprove of Marijuana Commercialization
(Alexandria, VA) – According to a new national poll, 62% of registered voters do not support the legalization and commercialization of marijuana when given more options than prosecuting possession or full legalization. The false dichotomy of legalization versus incarceration is pervasive in national polling, and is promoted by the marijuana industry and its supporters as it makes it seem more popular than it actually is.
The poll, conducted by Mason-Dixon, found that 62% of voters support either keeping current marijuana laws in place, decriminalizing the drug (making it like a traffic ticket), or want to see it legalized for medical use only. Only 38% supported the full commercialization of the drug.
“Big Marijuana pushes the false narrative that marijuana legalization is supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a former drug policy advisor to the Obama Administration. “The more people learn the truth of what commercial pot looks like, and the more they hear of the negative impacts it has on health and safety, the more they oppose allowing Big Marijuana – who by the way is seeing massive investment from Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol – from setting foot in their state.”
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About SAM: Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a nonpartisan, non-profit alliance of physicians, policy makers, prevention workers, treatment and recovery professionals, scientists, and other concerned citizens opposed to marijuana legalization who want health and scientific evidence to guide marijuana policies. SAM has affiliates in more than 30 states.
Evidence shows that marijuana – which has skyrocketed in average potency over the past decades – is addictive and harmful to the human brain especially when used by adolescents. In states that have already legalized the drug, there has been an increase in drugged driving crashes, youth marijuana use, and costs that far outweigh pot revenues.These states have seen a black market that continues to thrive, sustained disparities in marijuana arrest rates, and tobacco company investment in marijuana.