Study finds support for marijuana legalization, but its future is still cloudy

A poll of Americans and Canadians shows strong support for legalizing marijuana among respondents in both countries — at a time when the federal governments of the two countries seem to be going in different directions.

The study by DIG insights shows almost identical amounts of support for the legalization of marijuana between U.S. and Canadian respondents: at 57 percent and 56 percent, respectively. In America, 2 out of every 10 Americans (22 percent) say they have used recreational marijuana in the past year and an additional 24 percent would potentially use it if it became legal. Usage is higher among younger people (age 18-34), and those who make less than $60,000 per year (27 percent).

“Only 16 percent of Americans believe marijuana is ‘very harmful,’ which is lower than alcohol (27 percent), processed sugar (23 percent) and saturated fat (33 percent),” the study says.