Seven In Ten Louisiana Residents Support Marijuana Legalization, New Poll Finds – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Seven in 10 Louisianans support legalizing recreational marijuana possession for adults—and nine in 10 back medical cannabis legalization—according to a new survey released as lawmakers work to enact expungements legislation.

The poll from Louisiana State University (LSU) revealed a “substantial increase over the past decade in support for legalizing marijuana for recreational use,” with 70 percent of respondents saying that they favor ending prohibition for adults who possess “small amounts” of cannabis.

When the poll was administered 10 years ago in 2013, only 42 percent of Louisiana residents said they supported the reform.

“Support for legal possession of marijuana for medical purposes remains high at 90 percent,” the survey, which involved interviews with 500 Louisiana adults from March 22 to April 4, also found. The margin of error for the poll was +/-5.8 percentage points.

The third report of the 2023 Louisiana Survey was released today! Visit our website to view the full report here: https://t.co/8lK4pUxLeK#lalege #lagov@ManshipSchool @LSU pic.twitter.com/uADTnhVxmb

— Reilly Center (@ReillyCenter) June 1, 2023

Despite these findings, adult-use legalization continues to stall in the Louisiana legislature.

Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) did sign a cannabis decriminalization bill into law in 2021—making it so possession of up to 14 grams of marijuana is punishable by a $100 fine—but broader reform hasn’t made it across the finish line.

That…