MarijuanaChanging aitudes on legalization, use & enforcement

Do you think the use of marijuana should be made legal or illegal?

0

20

40

60

80

100%

1969 1980 1990 2000 2013

Legal

Illegal

52%

41

5263

8173

84

31

1624

12

45%

Percent who support legalization, by political party

1990 2000 2010 2013

60% Independent59% Democrat

37% Republican

11

1817

26

29

35

24

48

49

Boomers' attitudes over the past few decades epitomize the ebb and flow of public opinion on marijuana. About half of boomers supported legalization in their youth during the 1970's. This percentage fell to one-in-five during the Reagan administration's War on Drugs. Today, half of boomers again support legalization.

Percent of Boomers (born 1946-1964) who favor legalization

50%

41

36

30

24

17

28

38

4743%

1973 1980 1990 2000 2010 2013

In 1978, Boomer adults were 18-32 years old.

1990Ages 26-44

2013Ages 49-67

Percent favoring legalization, by generation

1969 1980 1990 2000 2010 2013

65% Millennialborn 1981-now

50% Boomerborn 1946-1964

32% Silentborn 1928-1945

14% Greatestborn before 1928

54% Gen Xborn 1965-1980

4347

38

21

41

34

58

15

7

Generational lines shown when significant sample is available.

Of those who used marijuana in the past year...

of adults have tried marijuana.

used it for medical issues.30%

48%

have used it in the past year.

12%

47%

23%

used it just for fun.

used both medically and recreationally.

INsee marijuana as a

gateway drug, compared to 6 in 10 in 1977.

say marijuana has some legitimate medical uses.

77%

States with fully legal marijuana or medicinal use laws

IllegalLegal Medicinal Use Only

SOURCE: National Conference of State Legislatures and National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Do government efforts to enforce marijuana laws cost more than they are worth?

AGREE DISAGREE

TOTAL

Republicans

Democrats

Independents

72% 23%

26

24

18

67

71

78

Percent saying marijuana is...

Morally wrong

2006 2013 2006 2013

Not a moral issue

50%

32%35

50