State support for pot reaches ‘all-time high’

Marijuana legalization supported by almost every demographic, poll shows

A strong majority of voters — 65% to 30% — want to see marijuana legalization in Florida.

The results were reported Thursday by the Quinnipiac University Poll, a showing the pollsters called “an all-time high in the state” on the marijuana issue.

Voters’ views have changed significantly. In May 2016, Florida voters were split with 56% in favor and 41% opposed. In November 2013, it was much closer, with 48% in favor and 46% opposed.

There are some caveats. The question is specific: allowing adults to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

Another question, about whether people would support sale of legal marijuana in their communities, had about the same support: 61% to 34%.

Legalization was supported by almost every demographic group: men (69%), women (62%), vot

ers age 18-34 (89%), voters 65 and older (52%), white voters (66%), black voters (66%), Hispanic voters (68%), Democrats (78%), and independent voters (72%).

Republicans were evenly divided 48% to 48%.

Support for sales “in your community” were about the same for every group. However, black voters were less supportive of sales, at 53%.

Other issues

Minimum wage: Voters support — 76% to 20% — raising the state’s $8.46 minimum wage. Support crosses every party, gender, educational age and racial group.

But there’s disagreement over the idea of $15 an hour minimum wage — 43% want less than $15, 36% support $15, and 9% support more than $15.

Guns: Voters continue to favor tighter laws on guns, including ban on sale of assault weapons (59% to 36%).

A strong majority — 72% — of Florida voters said Florida needs to do more to address gun violence, 21% said the state is doing enough, and 2% said the state is doing too much.

Florida voters oppose, 57% to 39%, “allowing trained teachers and school officials to carry guns on school grounds.”

If more people carried guns, 55% of voters said the state would be less safe and 35% said the state would be safer.

Felon voting: Voters are divided on legislation that sets state policy for implementing Amendment 4, a change to the Florida Constitution approved last year by 65% of Florida voters.

The amendment orders restoration of voting rights for felons — except murderers and sex offenders — who have served their sentences.

But the Republican passed implementation would require felons who have finished prison terms to pay fines fees and restitution before they can register to vote, which is supported by 45% and opposed by 47% opposing repayment. Men, white voters and Republicans support repayment. Democrats, women, black voters and Hispanic voters oppose it.

Fine print

Quinnipiac surveyed 1,279 Florida voters from June 12 through Monday with live callers to landlines and cellphones. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The sample size for smaller groups, such as Democrats, Republicans and independents, is smaller and the margin of error is higher.