A Majority of Voters Support Biden's Federal Marijuana Pardon
By Alvin Gunnion and Sabrina Jacobs
On October 6, the Biden Administration announced plans to take unprecedented executive action by restoring the rights of those impacted by the long-fought “war on drugs.”
President Biden announced that he would pardon all federal offenses of marijuana possession, called on governors across the country to do the same on the state level, and directed the secretary of health and human services to begin the process of reviewing how marijuana is classified under federal law.
A new survey conducted by Data for Progress shows that 72 percent of voters support Biden’s pardon. This includes 88 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of Independents, and 55 percent of Republicans.
When voters are asked if anyone should be jailed for possession of marijuana, support levels hold across the board: 78 percent of Democrats, 70 percent of Independents, and 54 percent of Republicans agree with the statement “Nobody should be in jail for possession of marijuana.”
Furthermore, 52 percent of voters understand that enforcement of marijuana possession laws is often harsher to people of color than to white people. This includes 77 percent of Democrats and 57 percent of Independents, with only 24 percent of Republicans agreeing.
Voters seem to agree with the other elements of Biden’s executive action as well, with the vast majority (80 percent) supporting the move for reclassification, agreeing that “Federal law should not classify marijuana in the same category as heroin and LSD.”
Additionally, our polling finds that 66 percent of voters support going a step further than the administration’s executive action by legalizing marijuana at the federal level for all people over the age of 21. This includes 78 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of Independents, and 52 percent of Republicans.
When asked if marijuana should be legal to use recreationally in all states, 63 percent of voters say they believe it should be. This includes 75 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of Independents, and 50 percent of Republicans.
Fifty-three percent of voters agree that marijuana is safer than alcohol, including 61 percent of Democrats, 57 percent of Independents, and 42 percent of Republicans.
One argument for legalizing marijuana is the decreased risk of contamination and the safety benefits of stricter oversight that come with regulation. Sixty-three percent of voters agree that marijuana would be safer if it were legalized in the United States. This includes 74 percent of Democrats, 67 percent of Independents, and 50 percent of Republicans.
Marijuana has been used to treat pain, nausea, and other symptoms for years. It also has other health benefits, such as reducing anxiety and inflammation. Sixty-four percent of voters agree that marijuana has positive health effects, including 70 percent of Democrats, 69 percent of Independents, and 57 percent of Republicans.
Beyond health benefits, people also argue that legalizing marijuana can generate tax revenue from sales. Seventy-one percent of voters agree that the funds from taxing marijuana can improve society. This includes 80 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of Independents, and 58 percent of Republicans.
President Biden’s decision to pardon those convicted of marijuana possession under federal law is a huge step in the right direction toward decriminalizing and destigmatizing marijuana. Voters clearly understand the benefit that legalizing marijuana will have on society and agree that we need to take another look at marijuana’s legal classification.
Sabrina Jacobs is a digital fellow at Data for Progress.
Alvin Gunnion is a communications intern at Data for Progress.