A recent poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights on behalf of the Utah Patients Coalition has revealed that half of Utahns now support the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. The poll, which was conducted earlier this month, found that 50% of respondents would support the legalization of adult-use cannabis, while 38% would support medical cannabis only, and 9% believe it should remain illegal. Three percent of respondents were undecided.
The poll also found that younger voters are more likely to support recreational marijuana, with 60% of those aged 18-34 supporting it. In contrast, only 29% of those aged 65 and over support recreational marijuana, with the majority (38%) supporting medical cannabis only.
The Utah Patients Coalition, which commissioned the poll, is not advocating for the legalization of recreational marijuana, but rather hopes that the increased support for it will drive down the cost of medical cannabis for patients. The organization’s executive director, Desiree Hennessy, noted that the high cost of medical cannabis is driving many patients to seek out cheaper options on the black market or in neighboring states where recreational marijuana is legal.
House Minority Whip Jennifer Dailey-Provost, who is tasked with handling medical cannabis legislation in the Utah State Legislature, believes that the increased support for recreational marijuana is a sign that Utahns are becoming more comfortable with the state’s medical cannabis program. She is introducing a bill in the 2025 legislature to provide patients with a cost comparison tool, which she hopes will help them find more affordable options.
Dailey-Provost also noted that the poll results demonstrate how far Utahns have come on the issue of cannabis, and that many of the fears and concerns that were expressed when the state’s medical cannabis program was first established have not come to pass. However, she acknowledged that there are still concerns about regulation and cost, and that the legalization of recreational marijuana would require careful consideration and regulation to ensure that it is done in a way that is safe and responsible.
Utah is bordered by several states that have legalized recreational marijuana, including Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Despite this, the state has not yet legalized recreational marijuana, although there have been several attempts to do so in recent years.
