Georgia Voters Overwhelmingly Support Legalizing Marijuana for Recreational Use
A recent poll conducted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has found that a majority of Georgia voters, nearly 56%, support making marijuana legal for recreational use. This marks a significant increase in support from previous years, with 46% of respondents favoring legalization in a 2017 poll.
The growing acceptance of marijuana is attributed in part to the widespread availability of less-potent hemp and CBD products across the nation. Additionally, a stalled federal proposal to reclassify pot as a less dangerous drug has contributed to the shift in public opinion.
While most Georgians support marijuana legalization, the majority of their state representatives disagree. The Georgia General Assembly, led by Republicans, has been hesitant to create a legal path for marijuana use, citing concerns about its potential impact.
However, some lawmakers are open to the idea of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. The state’s medical marijuana program currently allows patients to purchase products with up to 5% THC, while recreational marijuana can have THC content of 20% or more.
The poll also found that support for marijuana legalization varies by age, with adults aged 30-44 backing legalization at the highest rate, at 70%. Younger adults supported legalization at a rate of 59%, while seniors were the least supportive, with 45% in favor.
The AJC poll, conducted between April 15-24, involved 1,000 registered Georgia voters and had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. The results suggest that public opinion is shifting in favor of marijuana legalization, but it remains to be seen whether lawmakers will follow suit.
