This week, former President Donald Trump publicly voiced his support for cannabis legalization in Florida, solidifying cannabis reform’s growing prominance in this election campaign.
With President Joe Biden handing the torch to Kamala Harris, and along with it his push for reform, it’s clear that both parties see cannabis as a vote winner, particularly among younger voters.
A new study from Ragnar Research Partners, conducted in August 2024 among 1,000 likely voters in key swing states (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan), provides further data to back this up, revealing strong support for cannabis legalization, particularly for medical and adult recreational use.
READ MORE: Cannabis Reform Gains Ground in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin Ahead of 2024 Election
Overall, 84% of respondents support legalizing cannabis for medical purposes, with only 9% opposing, and 62% support legalizing cannabis for adults aged 21 and older, allowing individuals to possess up to three ounces.
Additionally, 79% of voters agree that cannabis should only be legal for people aged 21 or older, unless prescribed by a doctor. A significant 82% of respondents disagree with the federal classification of cannabis as more dangerous than fentanyl or methamphetamines.
Among key voter groups, persuadable voters (those undecided or open to changing their vote) show 83% support for medical cannabis and 56% for adult-use legalization. Soft Trump supporters, while generally in favor of medical cannabis legalization at 79%, show less support for recreational use, with 50% backing it. In contrast, soft Harris supporters strongly back both medical (95%) and recreational (72%) cannabis legalization.
The study also highlights the broader economic and healthcare impacts that voters associate with cannabis reform. Seventy-five percent of respondents support legalizing U.S. cannabis production, viewing it as a way to create jobs for American farmers and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
Voters believe that legalizing cannabis production domestically would weaken Mexican drug cartels’ influence, with 58% of soft Trump voters and 75% of soft Harris voters supporting this stance.
Additionally, 73% of voters see cannabis legalization as a way to reduce healthcare costs, particularly benefiting vulnerable groups like seniors, veterans, and low-income families.
