A recent Quinnipiac Poll of American voters found that 93% were in favor of medical marijuana when approved by a doctor. Only 6% were opposed, demonstrating an unprecedented level of public support for the issue.
Among patients and providers, such widespread approval is welcome news and represents a milestone for efforts to educate the public about the importance of providing access for those in need. Though medical cannabis has historically performed well in public opinion polling, it has taken many years to reach a point at which over 9 in 10 Americans say they’re in favor of it.
This result reflects significant progress since the Nation’s first state medical marijuana law was passed in California in 1996. In the years since, 27 additional states and the District of Columbia have passed medical marijuana laws, allowing Americans to observe firsthand the positive impact of patient access. We have no doubt that well-regulated medical marijuana programs and responsible cannabis businesses have played a prominent role in building such broad public support.
As more Americans have the opportunity to observe the important role dispensaries play in the community and hear from friends and family who’ve benefitted from medical cannabis, it should come as no surprise to see such strong majority support.
Read More: How Dispensaries Promote Responsible Marijuana Use