New Suffolk University Poll: 81% Support Law to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS — A new Suffolk University poll released this evening reports that 81 percent of Massachusetts voters support changing Massachusetts law to allow seriously or terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana if their doctor approves, with 17 percent against and only 2 percent undecided. Support was strong across all demographics, including 70 percent of Republicans and 86 percent of voters over 65.
Although Massachusetts voters decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana last year, medical marijuana patients remain vulnerable, facing arrest and prosecution for growing their medicine. At present, 13 states – including Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont – permit medical use of marijuana under state law. Pending legislation, HB 2160, would make Massachusetts the 14th state with such a law.
Creation of a medical marijuana program has been endorsed by the Massachusetts chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, AIDS Action Committee, and the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod.
“I have chronic pain and debilitating nerve damage due to brain surgery, and I’ve been prescribed everything from OxyContin to fentanyl, which can result in liver damage and addiction,” said Marcy Duda of Ware. “Medical marijuana is a safer alternative that helps me with my pain without making me too intoxicated to care for my grandkids.”
AIDS Action Committee president and CEO Rebecca Haag commented, “The harsh antiretroviral drugs that are used to treat HIV can cause nausea and vomiting that may make it hard for patients to stay on life-saving treatments. For many, medical marijuana can help relieve these side effects and help them stay on the treatment regimens that can extend their lives."
The poll of 500 registered voters was conducted by telephone between September 12th and 15th by the Suffolk University Political Research Center and has a margin of error of 4.4 percent. Part of a Suffolk University poll on statewide issues, the medical marijuana question was sponsored by the Marijuana Policy Project. Full results are available at http://www.suffolk.edu/research/38128.html.
