A new nationwide poll finds that a strong majority of American voters support rescheduling marijuana, and if the government does so this year it will give President Biden a large favorability jump.
Conducted by Lake Research Partners, the poll found that 58% of likely voters support rescheduling marijuana, moving it from its current Schedule I status to Schedule III. Just 19% oppose this move, which would legalize medical marijuana for prescription use nationwide while providing medical marijuana patients and businesses with a plethora of legal protections.
Rescheduling marijuana was supported by a majority of all age groups and political affiliations, but was unsurprisingly highest among those aged 18 to 25 with 65% in support and just 14% opposed.
The survey found that President Biden would see an 11% jump in favorability if rescheduling happens before the election, a considerable shift that could have a substantial impact on November’s presidential election.
In August the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officially requesting marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The letter came in response to a request by President Biden last year for the government to research and consider rescheduling marijuana.
Earlier this month the head of HHS confirmed that the agency is currently in talks with the DEA about rescheduling marijuana. The DEA recently sent a letter to congressional lawmakers informing them that their review of marijuana as a schedule I drug is currently underway, while noting that the agency has “the final authority” when it comes to any rescheduling effort.
Last month Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser led a group of 12 state attorneys general on a letter encouraging the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act in the interest of public health and safety.
In September congressional researchers released a report stating that the DEA is “likely” to reschedule marijuana, with many believing it will be done prior to the 2024 presidential election.
