Pubdate: Tue, 07 Apr 2015
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2015 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-letters-to-the-editor-htmlstory.html
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Anthony Man

FLORIDA VOTERS SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZED MARIJUANA

Florida voters overwhelmingly support legalization of marijuana - for 
both medical and recreational use.

Medical marijuana was supported by 84 percent and opposed by 14 
percent in a Quinnipiac University Poll released Monday.

Recreational use of marijuana was supported by 55 percent of those 
surveyed and opposed by 42 percent.

Support for medical marijuana spans the political spectrum: 92 
percent among Democrats, 87 percent among independents and 73 percent 
among Republicans.

A 2014 referendum to legalize medical marijuana fell just short of 
the 60 percent required for passage even though the idea had 
overwhelming support in polls: 88 percent on July 28 and May 5, 2014, 
and 82 percent on Nov. 21, 2013. The pro-marijuana side ran a barely 
noticeable campaign and opponents ran a far more effective, and 
expensive, effort to appeal to voters.

Pro-medical marijuana forces are organizing to try again in 2016, 
when they hope the larger pool of voters who turn out in presidential 
elections will lead to victory. There are big differences on 
legalizing recreational marijuana depending on political affiliation. 
Legalization for recreational use is supported by 70 percent of 
Democrats and 63 percent of independents - and opposed by 67 percent 
of Republicans.

Far smaller numbers said they would actually use it recreationally 
themselves. Just 17 percent of Florida voters say they "definitely" 
or "probably" would use it, while 81 percent say they "probably" or 
"definitely" would not. Quinnipiac surveyed 1,087 Florida voters from 
March 17 to 28. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 
percentage points.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom