A new poll, commissioned by California’s marijuana regulators, finds that 62 per cent of adults think the state’s law legalizing marijuana is having a positive impact. This is a higher percentage than the number who voted on the ballot to pass the reform a little over seven years ago.
The Department of Cannabis Control sponsored a survey by FM3 Research, which was released Monday as part of the new “Real California Cannabis campaign”.
It is noteworthy that 62 per cent of respondents believe that legalization is effective, given that only 57 percent voted for the legalization of adult-use marijuana at the November 2016 ballot.
The poll showed that 86 per cent of adults believe it is important to buy marijuana from legal retailers rather than the unregulated market. This is a major objective for the state as they work to combat illegal sales.
Another 72 percent said that it is the responsibility of consumers to find licensed cannabis shops.
It’s not easy to do because each jurisdiction can opt out. The poll found that 85 per cent of those who live in opt-out areas either believed that retailers were allowed or did not know their local laws.
In addition, 52 percent of Californian adults admitted to having used cannabis. Of that group, 88% said they would purchase products from licensed retailers. Just 44 percent of respondents said that it was easy to find approved retailers, while 42 percent said that it was difficult.
In a recent press release, DCC Director Nicole Elliott stated that “Education is key to a well-regulated market” and that enforcement was also important. The Real California Cannabis campaign provides cannabis consumers with the information they need to make informed choices about their cannabis purchases.
Elliot said that “these smart choices support safer local communities, our efforts to disrupt the illicit market, and the continued efforts we make to disrupt it.” Elliot also spoke about the importance of incorporating lessons from state regulatory schemes into a federal legalization program during an industry event held last week.
The FM3 survey included interviews with over 1,000 Californian adults. The poll questions and crosstabs have not been made public.
The poll was released one week following the California regulators’ launch of a new marijuana data base that is meant to assist consumers, stakeholders and legislators better understand industry trends — which includes monthly sales data as well as information about cannabis licencees.
DCC released a separate online tool in 2022, that allows users to view an interactive map of where marijuana businesses are allowed and where they are prohibited from opening throughout the state.
Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged to continue to work to “strengthen the marijuana market in California. Last month, he proposed to close a budgetary deficit for the government by borrowing $100m from a cannabis fund that is designated to law enforcement and public safety initiatives.
California’s legislature is exploring ways to expand the cannabis market in California, as well as other drug policy reforms that deal with issues like psychedelics.
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Assemblymember Matt Haney, a Democrat, is renewing the push for legalizing cannabis cafes across the state. He has recently introduced a bill and plans to collaborate with the Governor and regulators in order to address concerns that led to the previous version being vetoed .
Bipartisan California legislators have also recently introduced a bill to legalize psychedelic services centers, where adults over 21 could access psilocybin and other psychedelics in a controlled environment.
has already passed the Assembly with unanimity.
Connecticut Lawmakers File Psilocybin decriminalization bill despite Governor’s concerns
Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.
The post State-commissioned poll finds that more Californians now say marijuana legalization has a ‘positive’ impact than voted for it on the 2016 ballot first appeared on Marijuana moment.
