Pubdate: Thu, 12 May 2016
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2016 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

MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL POT HAVE VOTERS' SUPPORT

Florida voters overwhelmingly support legalization of medical 
marijuana, pollsters said Wednesday, and most also favor legalization 
of recreational pot use.

The Quinnipiac University poll found 80 percent of Florida voters 
said they would vote for a proposed constitutional amendment in 
November allowing for medical use of marijuana. Just 16 percent said 
they'd vote no.

Support is greater than 70 percent among every category pollsters 
analyzed, regardless of political party, gender, education, age and 
ethnicity. The question was specific, asking people if they favored 
medical use of marijuana "for individuals with debilitating medical 
conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician."

But medical marijuana supporters shouldn't count on a victory just yet.

Support for medical marijuana was also high before the 2014 election 
before an opposition campaign raised doubts among voters. Opponents 
have promised a vigorous opposition effort this year, which again 
could drive down support.

The constitutional amendment requires 60 percent of the vote to pass.

A majority of Florida voters support allowing adults to legally 
possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Pollsters said 
56 percent supported recreational use with 41 percent opposed.

The idea - which has been implemented in some states but isn't under 
consideration in Florida - was supported by almost every group 
surveyed. Republicans and voters over age 65 were opposed to 
legalizing marijuana for personal use.

The findings come from an April 27 to May 8 Quinnipiac survey of 
1,051 Florida voters. The poll, in which live interviewers called 
land lines and cellphones, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 
percentage points.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom