An overwhelming number of New Yorkers support legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational use, according to a new poll released Monday.
The survey, conducted by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, found that 88% of voters in New York favor medical marijuana legalization, compared with just 9% who oppose it. Fifty-seven percent of respondents also back the legalization of cannabis for recreational use vs. 39% who are against the idea.
New York’s governor is moving forward with plans to legalize medical cannabis under a very limited program that would only allow hospitals to dispense the drug. Many have criticized this plan as being unworkable, however.
Lawmakers have introduced a separate bill that would legalize medical marijuana and set up a network of regulated dispensaries across the state, which would be much better than the governor’s plan in terms of business opportunities. The latest poll could bolster that effort and convince more legislators to back the measure.
