Title:
Polling indicates Rhode Island is ready for change
Message:
At the end of January, MPP
commissioned Public Policy Polling (PPP) to survey Rhode Island voters
about their attitudes on marijuana policies. The results
were even better than we’d hoped for. Not only do voters overwhelmingly support
decriminalization, but a majority of Rhode Islanders in both major parties support
ending marijuana prohibition entirely!
Sixty-five percent of voters support replacing criminal penalties for
possession of up to an ounce of marijuana with a $150 civil fine.
Decriminalization is strongly supported by a majority of all political
parties, age ranges, and
genders. Twin bills that would make this exact change in law – H
7092 and S
2253 – have been introduced by Rep. Edwards and Sen. Miller and will soon
be heard in committee.
PPP also found that 52% of voters — including 54% of
Republicans — support ending Rhode Island’s marijuana prohibition altogether by
setting up a regulated marijuana market for adults 21 and older. That’s a nine
percentage point increase since 2009, the last time MPP polled this exact
question. Rep. Ajello and Sen. Perry have introduced companion legislation – H
7582 and S
2367 – that would make this sensible change.
Finally, PPP asked voters about their attitudes toward
medical marijuana. Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly approve of the program itself,
and 70% want Gov. Chafee to allow the compassion centers to open.
Please keep an eye on your inbox for further legislative
developments, and if you have ever been arrested for possession of less than an
ounce of marijuana, you are an attorney, or any other opinion leader and you’d
like to advocate for change, please contact us at state@mpp.org.
