67% of Wisconsin Voters Support Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, Finds New Poll

According to the survey, there remains a stark partisan divide on the issue. While 88% of Democrats and 79% of independents back legalization, 56% of Republicans oppose it. Still, support from more than four in ten GOP voters indicates growing bipartisan momentum behind the reform. Despite widespread public backing, Wisconsin remains one of the few Midwestern states without legal recreational marijuana. However, a strong majority of voters—77%—also favor implementing a citizen-led ballot initiative process, which could open a path to legalization if lawmakers continue to stall. Support for a ballot initiative system includes 85% of Democrats, 79% of independents, and 68% of Republicans.

The same poll also found that 65% of voters think at least half of the state’s $4 billion budget surplus should go toward tax cuts, with Republicans especially likely to favor returning surplus funds to taxpayers. Legal marijuana could play into those discussions, as it is often framed as a new revenue source that could reduce tax burdens or fund state programs.

Legalization remains a central issue as Wisconsin residents look for avenues to have their voices heard directly. With legislative inaction persisting and public support holding strong, pressure is likely to continue mounting—either through elected officials or a future voter-driven measure.