Over a decade after Colorado legalized recreational marijuana, a strong majority of voters want marijuana to remain legal.
A statewide survey of hundreds of registered Colorado voters was conducted between April 8 and 9 by Public Policy Polling. It found seven out of 10 (71%) voters think marijuana should be a legal product for adults, similar to alcohol, and fewer than one in four (23%) think it should be illegal. Support for legalization is 16% higher than it was when it was passed by voters in 2012.
These results appear to be in line with the Colorado Polling Institute’s March 2024 Statewide Poll, which found two out of three voters (67%) see the passage of Amendment 64, which allowed the regulation, sale, and taxing of marijuana, as a good thing.
The April PPP survey also found most voters (56%) believe Colorado’s regulated marijuana industry has had a positive impact on the state economy. Specifically:
- Five out of eight (63%) think the tax revenue generated by marijuana sales has been important for the state. Earlier this month, the Colorado Department of Revenue reported it has collected more than $2.68 billion in marijuana tax and fee revenue since legal adult sales began in January 2014.
- One in five Colorado voters (21%) said they have friends, family members, or acquaintances who work either directly for a marijuana business or for a non-marijuana business that provides products or services that are used by marijuana businesses. Colorado has nearly 23,400 full-time equivalent cannabis jobs, according to an annual jobs report released this month by Colorado-based marijuana staffing company Vangst.
The PPP survey also asked voters for their opinions on the laws and policies regulating marijuana sales and production, finding 70% think they should be no stricter than those regulating alcohol. The Colorado Legislature is currently considering a bill (SB24-76) aimed at streamlining marijuana regulations in the state.
“Support for legalization in Colorado has grown significantly since voters made the decision to end prohibition and start regulating marijuana for adult use”, says Chuck Smith, president of the board of directors for Colorado Leads, which is an alliance of marijuana businesses that commissioned the poll. “We now have more than a decade of experience that shows legalizing and regulating marijuana works. Colorado’s experience has also proven that many legalization opponents’ fears were unfounded. It should come as little surprise that there is now far less opposition to legalization.
Smith continues; “The past couple years have been challenging for the regulated cannabis industry, so it is heartening to see most voters recognize its significant economic contribution to Colorado. The state lost several thousand cannabis jobs since last year, but it is still creating countless opportunities for Colorado workers and businesses. Marijuana tax revenue has far exceeded original expectations, and to date it has generated more than $2.6 billion for everything from school construction projects to mental health services.
He concludes; “Colorado has been a leader on cannabis policy for over a decade. More than ever before, Coloradans want marijuana to be regulated like alcohol. As public attitudes continue to evolve, it is critical that our laws and policies evolve, as well, so our state can remain at the forefront of this emerging global industry.”
