Support for legal marijuana in Pennsylvania has climbed to its highest level since Muhlenberg College first began tracking the issue in 2013.
According to the latest Muhlenberg College Public Health Survey, 52% of adult Pennsylvanians say they favor legalizing marijuana for any purpose. This marks a three-point increase from last year and continues a broader upward trend over the past decade. Opposition to legalization has dropped to just 21%, the lowest recorded since the survey began. Meanwhile, 22% said they neither favor nor oppose legalization, and 5% were unsure.
The survey also found notable differences across demographic and political groups. Support was strongest among Democrats, with 64% backing legalization compared to 39% of Republicans and 51% of independents. Younger adults were more likely to favor legalization, with 56% support among those aged 18 to 29 and 57% among those aged 30 to 49. Support dipped among older age groups, falling to 44% among those over 65.
Men (55%) were slightly more likely to favor legalization than women (49%). White respondents showed 54% support, compared to 47% among people of color. Education levels and income appeared to have little effect on support, with similar majorities favoring legalization across different groups.
The results come as Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to debate legalization bills, even as neighboring states like New Jersey, New York, and Maryland have already moved forward with legal marijuana markets.
The survey was conducted between March 10 and March 26 and included 521 Pennsylvania adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5%.
