Marijuana legalization is more popular in Maryland than President Joe Biden and the state’s two U.S. senators, a new poll found. As lawmakers work to enact cannabis reform in the coming year, the survey from Goucher College shows a strong majority of the public (60 percent) is in favor of the policy. But while legalization earned more support than Biden (53 percent) or either Democratic senators, Chris Van Hollen (44 percent) and Ben Cardin (46 percent), that majority support is seven percentage points lower than when Marylanders were last asked about it in March. There’s a notable, partisan gap in attitudes toward cannabis reform, with 65 percent of Democrats saying they back legalization, compared to 48 percent of Republicans. Sixty-three percent of independents are also on board. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) proved more popular (68 percent) than legalization in this latest poll. Regardless, the policy still enjoys significant majority support from the public—and that could further embolden legislators to take up the issue. A 10-member working group, which was appointed by House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D) earlier this year, has already taken initial steps to explore the reform, with plans in the works to place a legalization referendum before voters next year. The House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup held its first meeting last month. Members broadly discussed the history of reform throughout the country at that introductory session.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 10/26/2021 11:37:00