2015-04-13-皮尤-Why_Americans_Support_or_Oppose_Legalizing_Marijuana_18页_456kb

Summary of Pew Research Center Report on Marijuana Legalization (April 14, 2015)

Core Content

This report from the Pew Research Center presents findings from a national survey conducted March 25–29, 2015, among 1,500 adults. It explores public opinion on the legalization of marijuana, including reasons for support or opposition, demographic differences, and views on federal enforcement.

Main Points

• Public Opinion Trends:

  • 53% of adults support legalizing marijuana, while 44% oppose it.
  • Support for legalization has increased significantly since 2006, when only 32% supported it.
  • Millennials (18–34) show the highest support at 68%, while the Silent Generation (70–87) is the most opposed, with 68% saying it should remain illegal.

• Supporters' Reasons:

  • The most common reasons for supporting legalization are:
    • Medicinal benefits (41%).
    • Belief that marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes (36%).
  • 27% of supporters cite improved regulation and tax revenue.
  • 12% mention the cost and problems of enforcement.
  • 9% believe in personal freedom and liberty.

• Opponents' Reasons:

  • The most frequently cited reason for opposing legalization is that marijuana hurts individuals and society (43%).
  • 30% of opponents believe it is addictive and abused.
  • 19% think it needs to be policed.
  • 11% believe it is a gateway to harder drugs.
  • 8% are concerned about its impact on young people.
  • 7% support legalization for medical use but not for recreational.

• Demographic Differences:

  • Race: Majorities of whites (55%) and blacks (58%) favor legalization, while Hispanics (40%) are more opposed.
  • Gender: Men (57%) are more likely than women (49%) to support legalization.
  • Age: Millennials (68%) and Boomers (50%) are more supportive, while the Silent Generation (29%) is the most opposed.
  • Education: College graduates (58%) and those with some college (58%) are more likely to support legalization than those with a high school diploma or less (47%).
  • Partisan Views:
    • Democrats (59%) and independents (58%) are more supportive than Republicans (39%).
    • Within Republicans, conservative Republicans (32%) are more opposed than moderate/liberal Republicans (49%).
    • Within Democrats, liberal Democrats (75%) are more supportive than conservative/moderate Democrats (50%).

• Federal Enforcement Views:

  • 59% of respondents believe the federal government should not enforce marijuana laws in states that have legalized it.
  • There is little change in these views since the question was first asked in 2013.

• Public Use Concerns:

  • 62% say they would be bothered if people used marijuana in public.
  • 57% would not be bothered if a marijuana store opened in their neighborhood.
  • 82% would not be bothered if people used it in their own homes.

• Personal Use:

  • 49% of adults say they have ever tried marijuana.
  • Men (56%) are more likely than women (41%) to have tried it.
  • Among age groups, 59% of Baby Boomers and 52% of Millennials have tried marijuana, while only 19% of the Silent Generation have.
  • 23% of Millennials used marijuana in the past year, the highest among all age cohorts.

Key Information

• The survey highlights a growing acceptance of marijuana legalization, especially among younger generations.
• There is a clear generational divide, with younger people more supportive and older generations more opposed.
• Supporters are more likely to have changed their views on the issue compared to opponents.
• Concerns about public use are more prevalent than concerns about local marijuana businesses or home use.
• The majority of those who support legalization have tried marijuana, while a significant portion of those who oppose it have not.

Conclusion

The Pew Research Center survey indicates a significant shift in public opinion towards legalizing marijuana over the past decade, driven largely by younger generations and a growing recognition of its medicinal benefits and relative safety compared to other substances. Despite this, concerns about societal impact and public use remain strong among opponents. The debate continues to be shaped by perceptions of danger and the role of government regulation.