MIAMI BEACH, FL — Florida voters strongly support a proposed ballot measure to legalize medical marijuana in the Sunshine State, according to a recent poll of likely voters.
The poll, conducted by Anzalone Liszt Research on behalf of United for Care, the organization sponsoring measure, found that 77% of likely voters support the “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions” Amendment 2. Only 20% were opposed.
Anzalone conducted a similar survey for United for Care in June, 2014 in which the previous version of Amendment 2 received 69% support. The medical marijuana amendment ultimately received 58% in the last election, just shy of the 60% that Florida law requires for passage.
Kevin Akins, of Anzalone Liszt Grove, said of the recent polling,
“Voter support for medical marijuana in Florida is stronger than ever,” said pollster Kevin Akins. “A broad and diverse coalition of voters across age, racial, and gender lines support Amendment 2 by a winning margin.”
Indeed, the survey showed only 3% undecided. Other recent polls have shown similarly small levels of undecided voters on this issue.
“I’m obviously pleased at these levels of support, but I’m also not surprised,” said Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care. “The notion of allowing medical decisions to be made by doctors and patients, not politicians, is simply not controversial. Floridians are compassionate and they know that marijuana can help alleviate suffering.”
“The 2016 ballot language is also stronger and addressed a number of concerns that some voters expressed previously. It was approved unanimously by the supreme court, and we’re seeing a broader coalition supportive of passage than before,” added Pollara.
Respondents to United for Care’s poll were read the complete ballot title and summary for amendment 2 – “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions” – that will appear on Florida’s 2016 general election ballot, then asked if they would vote “yes” or “no” on the amendment. The poll was conducted July 17-21 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. The poll included bilingual dialing, and 46% of the poll was among cell phone completes, while 39% of the poll was among cell phone-only households.
A poll conducted by Public Policy Poling earlier this year found 65% support for the proposed amendment.
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