Poll: Half of Arizonans support rec marijuana initiative

Roughly half of Arizona voters are likely to support a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, a new poll has found, suggesting growing support for legalization.

The study, commissioned by the Arizona Republic, the Morrison Institute for Public Policy, and Cronkite News, found that 50% of voters surveyed are “likely to vote in favor” of Proposition 205, an initiative to legalize adult-use cannabis. The poll also found that 40% are opposed and 10% are undecided.

The new numbers are a flip from two earlier polls, one of which found in July that only 39% of voters supported the ballot measure. Another found in April that only 43% of voters were in support. The July survey also found that 52.5% of voters opposed the initiative.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Arizona, which is supported by the Marijuana Policy Project, has dismissed such negative polling results, with campaign chair J.P. Holyoak repeatedly insisting that he’s comfortable with their internal polling numbers. This latest study appears to confirm Holyoak’s reasons for his confidence.

The most recent poll was conducted from Aug. 17-31, and involved 800 likely voters.