Support for Medical Cannabis Policy Reform: A Summary of State and National Polling
Support for allowing medical cannabis is nearly universal — on par with the percent of Americans who believe the earth is round and that NASA astronauts landed on the moon.[1]
A 2019 Quinnipiac University poll found that 93% of Americans support “allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it.”[2] In 2024, Pew Research Center found 88% of Americans support legalizing cannabis for medical use.[3]
Since 1996, 41 states have enacted medical cannabis laws. Nineteen of the laws were adopted by voters, including in some of the most conservative states in the nation: Arkansas (53%, 2016), North Dakota (64%, 2016), Oklahoma (57%, 2018), Utah (53%, 2018), and South Dakota (70%, 2020). Most recently, more than 70% of Nebraska voters approved allowing the medical use of cannabis in November 2024.
Support is exceptionally high among all ages and parties. Quinnipiac found 93% of Americans aged 50-64 and 91% of Americans aged 65 and older support medical cannabis.[4] Support reached 99% for those 18-34. The poll found 86% of Republicans, 96% of independents, and 96% of Democrats support allowing medical cannabis.
Despite this overwhelming support, nine states still lack a comprehensive medical cannabis law. Here is a look at polling in those states where the seriously ill are still criminalized for relieving their suffering with cannabis, even if a doctor recommends its use.
State-By-State Medical Cannabis Poll Results
State
Year/Polling Firm
% in Favor
Question Wording
Georgia
2023, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
76%
Support fully legalizing medical marijuana (the state has a low-THC law now)
Idaho
2022, Idaho Statesman/ SurveyUSA
68%
Support making medical marijuana legal
Indiana
2023 Hoosier Survey
86%
Support making marijuana legal “only for medical use” or for “personal use”
Iowa
2022, Hawkeye Poll
71%
"Marijuana should be legal for medical use" (another 15% said it should be decriminalized for medical use)
Kansas
2024, Kansas Speaks
73%
Supports the legalization of medical marijuana
North Carolina
2024, Meredith Poll
78%
Support "the passage of legislation allowing for the use of medical marijuana"?
South Carolina
2024, Mason Dixon
83%
Support “allowing patients … who suffer from an approved list of serious medical conditions to use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.”
Tennessee
2018, Middle Tennessee State University Poll
81%
Support allowing marijuana for medical use
Wisconsin
2024 Marquette Law School Poll
86%
Think the use of marijuana for medical purposes with a doctor’s prescription should be made legal
Wyoming
2020 Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center
85%
Support “allowing adults in Wyoming to legally use marijuana for medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it”
[1] See: Lawrence Hamilton, "Conspiracy vs. Science: A Survey of U.S. Public Beliefs," Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire. April 25, 2022. (10% believe the earth is flat, 12% believe the moon landing was faked, and many more are unsure) carsey.unh.edu/publication/conspiracy-vs-science-survey-us-public-beliefs
[2] “U.S. Voters Oppose Trump Emergency Powers On Wall 2-1 Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 86% Back Democrats' Bill On Gun Background Checks,” Quinnipiac Poll, March 6, 2019