Gallup: Support for Cannabis Legalization in U.S. Falls to Lowest Level Since 2019 

Support for cannabis legalization in the U.S. has dipped to 64%, according to a Gallup poll released November 5. It’s the lowest level of support for legalization measured by Gallup since 2019, when the same percentage of Americans approved of the reforms.  

Support for cannabis legalization had increased from 64% in 2019 to 66% later that year, to 68% in 2020, 2021, and 2022 before peaking to 70% in 2023. Support dropped back down to 68% in 2024.  

The decline in the most recent poll is largely driven by Republicans, whose support has fallen 13 points over the past year, according to the pollster. Support among Republicans – measured at 40% – is the lowest level among the bloc since 2015 (37%). Support for cannabis legalization was highest among Democrats (85%), which was the same level measured by Gallup in 2024 but a slight decrease from the 87% support among Democrats in 2023. Sixty-six percent of independents supported the reforms, according to the poll, which marks a 3% decrease from the 2024 Gallup poll. In 2022, Gallup found 72% of independents supported cannabis legalization – the highest level measured by Gallup.  

Interestingly, Gallup found a wide divide among those polled about the drug problem in the U.S. versus in their local area. The poll found 71% of respondents said there was a drug problem throughout the country, but just 29% said drugs were a problem where they live.