Public Support for

Medical Marijuana

A 2006 Polling Company poll found that 86% of New Jerseyans support allowing The most comprehensive
access to medical marijuana. This was an increase over the 82% support found analysis of medical
in a 2002 Eagleton poll. This level of support for access to medical marijuana is in line
marijuana polling was
with other state and national polls that have found overwhelming public support for access to
medical marijuana. Between 1996 and 2002 more than 60 state and national polls found done by the Ohio Patient
overwhelming public support for medical marijuana. Support has increased over time as Network in 2002. The
the public has learned more about the issue. report reviewed more
than 60 polls on medical
• A 2004 poll by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found 72% support
marijuana. The report
for allowing access to medical marijuana.
— Medical Uses of Marijuana Opinions of U.S. Residents 45+, AARP, December 2004 concluded that as many
as two-thirds of voters
• A 2002 CNN/Time poll found that 80% of Americans support allowing patients access will reward candidates
to medical marijuana.
who support medical
• A 2001 national poll for the Pew Research Center found 73% of those polled favored marijuana.
allowing access to medical marijuana. — The People Have Spoken:
Medical Marijuana
• A 2001 poll in New Mexico found 81% of New Mexicans in support of medical marijuana Polling 1996-2002,
access. A poll conducted in 2004 in Alabama found 75% support. The Ohio Patient
Network, 2002

• A Gallup poll conducted in 1999 found 73% support for medical marijuana.
A 2002 Eagleton poll
• An ABC New/Discovery News poll conducted in 1997 found 70% support for medical found that 82% of New
marijuana. Jerseyans support
The most comprehensive analysis of medical marijuana polling was done by the Ohio allowing access to
Patient Network in 2002. The report reviewed more than 60 polls on medical marijuana. medical marijuana.
The report concluded that as many as two-thirds of voters will reward candidates — Eagleton Institute of Politics
who support medical marijuana. Center for Public Interest
Network, 2002
In most of the thirteen st ates that allow access to medical marijuana, the medical marijuana
access laws were passed as a result of voter referenda. In each state the referendum A 2004 poll by the
passed by a sizeable majority. American Association of
Retired Persons (AARP)
Voters in New Jersey and across the country understand that allowing access to medical
marijuana is the compassionate and reasonable thing to do. Voters understand that deadly found 72% support for
diseases don’t discriminate. They or a loved one could be a victim of a serious or allowing access to
life-threatening illness. Medical marijuana might be the only medicine that would alleviate medical marijuana.
their devastating and debilitating symptoms. Voters believe that seriously ill people should — Medical Uses of Marijuana
have access to the medications best able to relieve their symptoms and improve Opinions of U.S. Residents
their quality of life. 45+, AARP, December 2004

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