Next Tuesday brings midterm elections and since Congress will be useless regardless of who is elected, the only thing that matters on ballots is who will be legalizing weed. After Washington and Colorado became the first states to fully legalize in 2012, we have four ballot measures this year for varying degrees.
Oregon and Alaska are the only states voting for full legalization, while Washington D.C. is deciding on legalizing possession and growing for personal use. Florida is dipping its toe into permitting medical weed, which would make them the first state in the dirty ol’ south to do so.
Here’s a roundup of what recent polls are showing in each state:
Oregon: YES
As of October 22nd, Oregon Ballot Measure 91, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults age 21 and older showed “Yes” beating “No” 48% to 37% according to SurveyUSA.
It seems that even based on some of the most pessimistic polls, it would take all undecided voters to vote no on the ballot.
Florida: NO
Polls show voter support for the measure, which needs to garner 60% of the vote to pass, has steadily declined from a high of 88% in July to 48% as of October 16th.
According to the Wall Street Journal, that has a lot to do with an influx of partisan advertising and an injection of cash by conservative fundraiser and candidate for worst person in the world, Sheldon Adelson.
Alaska: MAYBE
A survey conducted by Public Policy Polling back in February found that 55% of Alaskans were pro-legalization. That was before special interest groups got involved and campaigning fired up.
As of October 8th, polls by opposing groups show completely different answers. Dittman Research found 53% would vote no on Ballot Measure 2 — which asks voters in Alaska if they favor legalizing recreational weed — with just 43% saying they would vote yes. That poll was paid for by Big Marijuana. Big Mistake. Vote No on 2.
Ivan Moore, a pollster, was paid by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska to do a survey in November and found 57% of voters were in favor of legalization and 39% opposing it.
Perhaps most surprisingly, a prominent pro-legalization ad is using a cop as its spokesperson.
Washington D.C.: YES
The nation’s capital is a little bit different: Being just a city that isn’t under the jurisdiction of any state, the campaigns are far smaller and polling data isn’t as readily available. According to the Washington Post, an unspecified “large majority” of voters support legalization in D.C.
There you have it. If you’re in one of those states, you can throw in your two-cents between now and next Tuesday. (Photo: Wikipedia)
