By Gintautas Dumcius via www.masslive.com
Marijuana legalization in Massachusetts, Question 4, has a 27-point lead in new Western New England University poll
Among likely voters in Massachusetts, support for marijuana legalization is at 61 percent, the latest survey from Western New England University Polling Institute says.
Thirty-four percent said they opposed Question 4, which would legalize marijuana for recreational and commercial use by adults over the age of 21.
Four percent said they didn’t know which way they were voting.
The survey included 417 likely voters and was in the field between Oct. 23 and Nov. 2.
The previous poll from the WNEU Polling Institute, conducted Sept. 24 through Oct. 3, had 52 percent supporting Question 4 and 42 opposing the measure.
“The Polling Institute survey found that support for legalizing marijuana for use by all adults was highest among Democrats (70 percent) and unenrolled voters (58 percent),” the institute said in a release.
“Yes on 4” supporters say the ballot question would set up a tightly regulated system for retail shops and drive down the black market. “Home growing” would also be allowed under the measure.
Opponents under a bipartisan banner of “No on 4” say the measure would bring a massive marijuana industry, similar to “Big Tobacco,” into Massachusetts. They also argue the ballot question is flawed and the proposed taxes on legal marijuana are too low.
Among Republican voters, 59 percent oppose Question 4.
Fifty-two percent of likely voters age 65 and over said they oppose the measure, while 62 percent of voters ages 55 to 64 said they support it.
Fifty-six percent of voters between the ages of 40 and 54 also support the measure. Younger voters strongly back the question: 81 percent of likely voters between the ages of 18 and 39 back Question 4.
“Although opponents of marijuana legalization have targeted some of their arguments toward parents, the survey found that 63 percent of likely voters who have children under the age of 18 support legalization, while 60 percent of voters who do not have minor children also back legalization,” the institute said.
Massachusetts voters voted to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in 2008. In 2012, voters approved marijuana for medical use.
