Survey: How Hoosiers feel about marijuana, abortion

Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs has offered up the first round of the 2023 Hoosier Survey, representing “the pulse of the state regarding the most pressing issues facing Indiana residents.”

The topics? Abortion and marijuana. Here’s a look at the results:

Should marijuana be legal in Indiana?

The question was asked, “Which comes closer to your view about the use of marijuana by adults?”

It should be legal for personal

●

use − 54.2%

It should be legal for medicinal

●

use − 32.2%

It should not be legal − 9.8%

●

According to the release, the results echo the sentiments in 2022, when 56% believed in legalizing marijuana for personal use and 29% suggested medicinal legalization.

“The findings are similar to last year’s findings in that Americans and Hoosiers have shifted dramatically on their attitudes toward marijuana,” said Dr. Chad Kinsella, director of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs and associate professor of political science at Ball State.

Should abortion be legal in state?

The question was asked, “Do you think abortion should be …”

● Legal in most cases − 31.3%

● Legal in all cases − 27.8%

● Illegal in most cases − 27.2%

● Illegal in all cases − 10.3%

For the question, “Do you think abortion should be…,” 31.3 percent of respondents answered “Legal in most cases,” and 27.8 percent answered “Legal in all cases.” Meanwhile, 27.2 percent answered “Illegal in most cases,” while 10.3 percent responded with “Illegal in all cases.”

Despite Indiana’s near total abortion ban that went into effect in August of last year, results once again were similar to 2022 where 30.5% believed abortion should be legal in most cases and 26.2% that felt abortion should always be legal.

“There are a lot of independents and Republicans who may be populists, libertarians, and/or business Republicans who are not eager to support issues important to more religiously oriented conservatives,” Kinsella said.

Survey results yet to come

More questions answered by Indiana residents centered around President Joe Biden’s approval ratings, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s approval ratings, election integrity, tax spending and more will be released Jan. 23 and Jan. 30.

“The Hoosier Survey is the only Indiana-specific survey in the state that examines Hoosiers’ opinions on a variety of national, state, and local issues,” Kinsella said.

“As we move through the 2024 Indiana legislative session, we are grateful to once again provide state lawmakers with an accurate look at the issues that matter the most to Hoosiers.”

The 2023 Hoosier Survey featured interviews with 600 Indiana adults age 18 or older. All data is maintained as anonymous, as no one was asked to identify themselves.

Highlights from Hoosier Survey can be found at bowencenterforpublic affairs.org once they are officially listed for the public.

Chris Sims is a digital content producer for Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.