Candidates and voters take note. From the growth of the economy to the de-institutionalization of our prison system, the issue of cannabis legalization is far reaching, whether or not someone is a potential consumer.
Currently, data from C2G’s 2015 CannaUse study shows that approximately 52% of the adult population over age 21 have used cannabis in their lifetime. That’s 142 million people with first hand experience with cannabis, according to our 2015 CannaUse Study. Approximately 105 million people would be likely purchasers across the United States were there a national market.
31.9% of Americans say they know very much or are an expert on the topic of recreational marijuana legalization.
39.2% say they would be likely to purchase cannabis assuming there were legal retailers in their state of residence.
Pew research has looked at top voter priorities in the upcoming election. 71% see abortion as important. 82% see the environment as important. But what the polls and researchers aren’t looking at is the issue of Cannabis legalization.
According to our CannaUse survey, 56.5% view the issue of cannabis legalization in the US as important to them in the upcoming presidential election.
As our country recovers from a recession, poor job prospects, international unrest, and is increasingly polarized by social issues, one issue stands out as one about growth. Pun intended.
The issue of marijuana legalization, both recreational and medicinal, is one of substantial scope from a medical, business and political perspective. Top voter priorities this year include the economy as number 1, and healthcare as number 4. Cannabis legalization should not be ignored, as it has serious implications for policy issues topping the list. Check out Marijuana Policy Project’s presidential candidate review to see where candidates stand on the issue.
Cannabis legalization is a more important issue than the media or the candidates, or the majority of the population may realize because it is given only quiet attention. It impacts tax burdens, jobs, medical costs, and prison populations, and it should be debated on any “next-gen” platform.