According to a new poll covering three different states, a large majority are in support of the federal government passing legislation that would protect states that legalize marijuana.
Commissioned by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), the poll covers Missouri, Wyoming and Ohio. Of these three states, only Wyoming has not legalized recreational marijuana.
The poll asked voters who are 21 and older their opinion on the STATES 2.0 Act. The measure, which recently gained its 10th bipartisan sponsor in the US House of Representatives, would amend the Controlled Substances so that those acting in compliance with state marijuana laws would no longer be committing a federal crime. The proposal would also allow commerce between legal marijuana states and tribes.
In addition, the measure would amend an IRS law (section 280E) that prohibits businesses from taking tax deductions if they run a federally illegal business, even if the business is properly following their state’s laws. This would allow state-legal marijuana businesses to take standard tax deductions.
According to the poll:
- 72% of those in Wyoming support the STATES 2.0 Act, 20% are opposed
- 67% of those in Missouri support the STATES 2.0 Act, 22% are opposed
- 61% of those in Ohio support the STATES 2.0 Act, 30% are opposed
Interestingly, support was highest in Wyoming, despite them being one of just 12 states that have not even legalized medical marijuana.
