67% Down With Medical Marijuana
An impressive two out of three voters would just say yes to medical marijuana if it goes on the ballot this fall.
"This is the Baby Boomers coming of age," said Tom SHIELDS of Marketing Resource Group, which conducted the Inside Michigan Politics survey.
Seventy-five percent of voters 34 to 54 backed medical marijuana and 63 percent of retirees did. Surprisingly, the 18 to 34 demographic was the least supportive, backing the measure 61 to 36 percent.
If the proposal passed, it would become legal in Michigan for marijuana to be smoked for medicinal purposes with a physician's prescription and protect patients from arrest and prosecution.
The so-called medical marijuana citizens' initiative is before the Legislature, which has 40 days to take it up. The State Board of Canvassers unanimously voted March 3 that the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care (CCC) had gathered enough signatures (See "Cropsey: Just Say No To Medical Marijuana," 3/5/08).
If legislators don't act — and they're not expected to — it moves to the November ballot.
The poll showed 62 percent would definitely support the measure, with soft support at another 5 percent. There were 28 percent who opposed it and 5 percent were undecided or refused to answer.
"This is where you want to start at for a ballot proposal," Shields said. "You want to start over 60 percent because when the details come out, you lose support. … This is a potential winner."
Law enforcement is expected to mount a campaign. Shields said he expects arguments to be made that medical marijuana is a slippery slope and there's potential abuse.
There was a sharp difference by political party, with 83 percent of Democrats backing the proposal compared to 47 percent of Republicans. Ticket-splitters mirrored the average of 67 percent.
There also was a racial divide, with whites more supportive at 68 percent compared to 59 percent of blacks.
The poll was conducted March 10 to 16, using 600 registered voters based on voter turnout in the last four general elections. The margin of error was 4.1 percent. | 
