Pubdate: Fri, 30 May 2014
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2014 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detroitnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: George Hunter
Page: 6A

MAJORITY OPPOSES LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL POT, SURVEY FINDS

News Poll Betrays Sharp Differences Among Likely Voters Over and Under 40

A majority of Michigan voters oppose legalizing marijuana for 
recreational use, according to a new Detroit News/WDIVTV poll, a 
result that runs counter to the trend of cities legalizing possession 
of small amounts.

About 52 percent of 600 likely voters said they oppose legalizing 
marijuana in small amounts for recreational use while 42 percent 
support it. About 6 percent were undecided, according to the poll 
conducted May 20-22 by Glengariff Group of Chicago that had a margin 
of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

"There is a sharp difference in attitudes on marijuana legalization 
among voters under and over the age of 40," said pollster Richard 
Czuba. "And while Democratic voters support legalization of 
marijuana, independents and Republican voters strongly oppose legalization."

The poll found a "sharp difference in attitudes on marijuana 
legalization among voters under and over the age of 40."

The strongest support was found among the age group 18-29, with 59.8 
percent, while 31 percent opposed.

The two age segments who most strongly opposed the idea were both over 40.

Those 65 and older rejected the legalization of marijuana 64.5 
percent to 28.1 percent, and those 40-49 opposed it 64.5 percent to 
31.5 percent.

This is to be expected because a 2012 nationwide study at the 
University of Michigan found two-thirds to three-quarters of college 
students and adults up to 50 have used marijuana at least once and 
many considerably more, said Lloyd Johnson, the U-M senior research 
scientist who has headed the survey called "Monitoring the Future" 
for 30 years.

"Many in medical and public health communities are concerned about 
recent evidence that taking marijuana has adverse effects on the 
developing brain; and we know that the brain is still developing into 
the early 20s," Johnson said. "So, if we increase use among youth, 
will we adversely affect their cognitive capacities? It's an 
important question."

Democrats tended to favor legalization while Republicans and 
independents tended to oppose it, according to the poll.

Medical marijuana use was approved by Michigan voters in 2008. 
Marijuana activists told The Detroit News in April they plan to put 
ballot proposals to decriminalize casual marijuana use before voters 
in at least 11 Michigan cities, including Hazel Park and Utica, and 
one county in this year's August primary or general elections.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom