Recreational Marijuana Poll Shows Majority of Americans Favor Legalization Of Drug For First Time In 44 Years [VIDEO]
The majority of Americans support the legalization of recreational marijuana usage for the first time since 1969, according to a Gallup poll released Tuesday.
The survey of 1,028 adults shows that 58 percent of Americans support the legalization of the drug, a jump of 10 percent from last year's results.
Findings shows a slight increase across all political parties favoring the drug, with 65 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of Independents and 35 percebt of Republicans favoring the move. There is also a majority of Americans between age 18-64 who also favor legalization while only those in the age demographic of 65+ years show a majority against it.
Gallup released a poll in August showing that 38 percent of Americans admitted to trying the drug, with nearly 50 percent of those aged 30-49 responding they had used it.
States are still deciding individually whether or not to legalize the drug recreationally, with Colorado and Washington leading the charge by allowing drug use via ballot referenda last year. Some that will potentially put the issue on this year's ballots include Alaska, Arizona, California, Oregon, Maine, Montana and Vermont.
Though on a federal level the possession and selling of the drug is still considered illegal, the Obama Administration said it will not challenge the states individual rulings.
Marijuana is a drug grown from a plant and contains the psychoactive chemical THC. It is known for its calming and relaxing effects on users.
