Question 4 to legalize cannabis has strong support among likely voters, according to a new survey released just days prior to the 2016 election.
The new poll conducted by the Western New England University Polling Institute found that 61% of likely voters support Question 4, with just 34% opposed to the measure – a massive 27% difference. Only 5% remain undecided.
The poll marks a large shift in support from the same previous conducted poll. Last month, it found 52% of voters to be in support of the initiative and 42% opposed. Just a 10% difference compared to the current 27% gap.
The poll found that support for legalizing cannabis to be highest among Democrats at 70%, followed by unenrolled voters at 58%. A majority of Republicans oppose the measure at 59%.
In what may be surprising to some, the survey found support for legalization to be higher among parents of minors. “Although opponents of marijuana legalization have targeted some of their arguments toward parents, the survey found that 63 percent of likely voters who have children under the age of 18 support legalization, while 60 percent of voters who do not have minor children also back legalization,” the Institute said in a Friday press release.
Question 4, similar to initiatives on the ballot in California, Maine, Arizona and Nevada, would legalize the possession, personal cultivation and licensed distribution of cannabis for everyone 21 and older. Unlike the other measures, it would also allow for the possession of up to 10 ounces at a private residence.