A new poll shows nearly two-thirds of voters in Louisiana would like to see cannabis legalized for recreational use.
A new JMC Analytics poll showed that support for cannabis legalization has grown to 67 percent, up 13 percent from last year when the same question was asked. Democrats were more likely than Republicans to support legalizing adult-use cannabis at a rate of 67 percent to 58 percent. When asked if the use of cannabis or possession should be illegal, 68 percent of voters said no, compared to 24 percent that said yes. The poll also showed voters would be more likely to support a candidate seeking political office if they wanted to reform Louisiana’s cannabis policies.
“Given that it’s only relatively recently that you’ve had a full-scale deployment of medicinal marijuana, I think that facilitates this change in attitude,” pollster John Couvillon said regarding the change of heart that folks in the state are experiencing.
Louisiana legalized medical cannabis in August 2019 and had 5,000 registered patients within that first month. The state expanded its medical cannabis program by allowing doctors to recommend medical cannabis to any patient they believe it would help. Current law limits medical cannabis patients to a select amount of cannabis-derived products, and the survey showed nearly 75 percent of voters believed patients should have access to the whole plant.
The City Council in Shreveport, Louisiana recently considered a measure to decriminalize low-level cannabis offenses. Under the proposal, individuals ages 18 and over who are caught with up to 14 grams would be given a $50 fine rather than jail time.
Louisiana lawmakers begin their legislative session April 12, at which time they will debate a bill that would decriminalize cannabis possession and sales. The state would still have to greenlight a sales tax in addition to other regulations.
