New Jersey’s Cannabis Crusade: Voters Say ‘High’ to Legalization

In the world of “to puff or not to puff,” the Garden State’s voters have spoken, and it seems they are overwhelmingly in favor of puffing. According to a recent poll, New Jersey’s cannabis enthusiasts are saying a resounding “YES” to the state’s cannabis legalization initiative, and they’re doing it by a two-to-one margin, no less.

The Farleigh Dickinson University poll, released on October 9, uncovered that 61 percent of registered and likely voters are ready to roll with the legalization of cannabis. Only 29 percent opposed, presumably because they’re more into brownies.

Krista Jenkins, the FDU poll director and professor of politics and government at Fairleigh Dickinson University, noted that the tide has turned significantly since 2018. Back then, only 42 percent of New Jerseyans supported taxing and regulating cannabis in the state. Today, the support is so high, it’s like they’ve been smoking something.

“Public opinion on this issue has evolved considerably. Just a few years ago, in 2018, we asked about recreational marijuana legalization and found support that was well beneath a majority, let alone anything that approached the support we’re seeing today.” – Jenkins stated, probably while wondering if she should invest in Doritos stocks.

The legalization question found support across political lines, with 77 percent of Democrats, 57 percent of independents, and even 52 percent of Republicans (yes, Republicans!) backing the idea. Age didn’t seem to matter either, with majorities from all age groups, including 77 percent of voters aged 18-34, 63 percent of voters aged 45-54, and a surprising 51 percent aged 55 and older showing support. It seems like the older folks are ready to relive Woodstock!

Education levels didn’t make a difference either, with majorities from those with just a high school diploma or less (64 percent), voters with some college education (59 percent), and college graduates (61 percent) all saying they’re ready for the green wave. Sixty-four percent of white people and 58 percent of non-white people polled backed the reforms.

New Jersey’s love for cannabis wasn’t just confined to one region. The northern (60 percent), central (63 percent), and southern (61 percent) parts of the state all showed majority support.

The proposed amendment to the state’s constitution, which would allow recreational cannabis use and sales for adults 21 and older, was approved for ballots by state lawmakers. After all, New Jersey doesn’t have a petition process – they’re too busy deciding between Taylor Ham and Pork Roll.

While the poll shows support slightly below one in August, which found 66 percent support for legalization, and another from July which found 68 percent support, it’s clear that the majority of New Jersey is ready to embrace cannabis. Both of those polls were commissioned by the law firm Brach Eichler, who probably have a lot of snacks in their office.

The FDU survey was conducted on both landlines and cell phones between September 30 through Oct. 5, 2020, with a random sample of 846 New Jersey adults, 18 or older, including 736 registered voters and 582 likely voters. And no, they didn’t ask if they were high at the time of the survey.