New polling conducted by Change Research shows strong support for marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania, with more than 60% of voters in five key House districts backing the move to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis.
The poll, conducted between September 3 and 11, 2024, surveyed 1,695 likely voters in districts across the state and revealed consistent support across all demographics.
In districts like HD16 (Beaver County) and HD151 (Montgomery County), support was particularly strong, with 72% of voters favoring legalization. Other districts, such as HD72 (Cambria County) and HD144 (Bucks County), also showed robust support, ranging from 64% to 65%. Across these districts, voters cited public safety, economic benefits, and criminal justice reform as key reasons for backing legalization.
The poll also highlighted that a significant number of voters believe legal marijuana would help boost the state’s economy by creating jobs. In HD151, 74% of voters think that legal cannabis would lead to job growth, a sentiment shared by majorities in all other surveyed districts.
Voters also pointed to the impact of legalization on public health and safety. In HD16, 74% of respondents said they believe legal cannabis would promote public health by ensuring the sale of quality-tested products. Similarly, in HD151, 77% echoed these health and safety concerns.
Additionally, many voters expressed that legal marijuana could play a role in addressing the disproportionate impact of past marijuana convictions, particularly in minority communities. In districts like HD151 and HD118 (Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties), around 75% of voters agreed that legalization would be an important step in criminal justice reform.
The poll also revealed that some Pennsylvania residents are traveling to neighboring states to purchase cannabis due to the lack of legal access in their own state. In HD144 (Bucks County), 24% of voters reported traveling to other states for cannabis, the highest percentage among the districts surveyed.
For more information on this poll, click here.
