FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 1, 2018

NEW FDU POLL SHOWS MAJORITY OF NEW JERSEYANS OPPOSE LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA

TRENTON – The majority of New Jerseyans oppose legalizing recreational marijuana, according to a recent survey conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University.  This marks the first time a recent poll in New Jersey has found less than 50 percent support for legalization.

According to the poll, only 42 percent of New Jersey residents 18 and older approve of legalizing recreational marijuana use and sales when given a choice.  The majority of residents, 53 percent, want recreational marijuana to remain illegal, or to be decriminalized and treated like a traffic ticket.  The poll also showed that only 34 percent of women – regardless of race or party – approved of legalization, compared to 51 percent of men.

“As more and more local governments come forward to oppose legalizing pot, this poll sends a clear message to Governor Murphy and state legislators that the majority New Jerseyans do not want Big Marijuana to profit at the expense of their communities and families,” said Kevin Sabet, PhD., founder of New Jersey Responsible Approaches to Marijuana Policy (NJ-RAMP).

The poll also found 25 percent of NJ residents would try marijuana if it was legal, which would represent a significant increase in marijuana use. Current HHS data find that only 6.9 percent of New Jersey residents 18 and older used marijuana at least once in the past month, and 12.1 percent in the past year.

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