Poll: Majority of voters back marijuana legalization

Large majorities of Illinois voters support marijuana decriminalization and legalization for recreational use, according to the results of the latest poll from SIU's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
About three-quarters of Illinois voters, or 74 percent, support or strongly support decriminalizing marijuana where people in possession of small amounts for personal consumption would not be prosecuted but may be fined, the poll found. 
One in five voters, 21 percent, oppose or strongly oppose decriminalization, and 5 percent answered otherwise. 
In 2016, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law decriminalizing up to 10 grams of marijuana. Under the new law, people caught with up to 10 grams can face fines of $100 to $200 and potential municipal penalties instead of facing a class B misdemeanor and potentially six months in jail and $1,500 in fines.
Support is also strong for legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Two-thirds of voters, 66 percent, support or strongly support legalization of recreational marijuana if it is taxed and regulated like alcohol. A notable 45 percent of voters strongly support legalization. Only 31 percent of voters oppose or strongly oppose, and 3 percent answered otherwise.
"Illinois voters are growing increasingly comfortable with the idea of decriminalizing marijuana, and we now have evidence that most see it as a potential revenue source for the state," said Jak Tichenor, institute interim director.
A March 2016 Simon Poll showed 51 percent opposed recreational use of marijuana while 45 percent approved.  When coupled with the idea of regulating and taxing it like alcohol, this year's poll showed a 21 percent increase in the number of people who approve recreational use.
Illinois voters younger than 35 show the most approval with 83 percent supporting or strongly supporting decriminalization. Voters 35 to 50 years old support or strongly support at 81 percent. Three-quarters of 51- to 65-year-old voters support or strongly support decriminalization. Two-thirds of baby boomers and the greatest generation 66 and older support or strongly support decriminalization.
"These data show that virtually all Illinoisans have opinions on cannabis decriminalization and legalization. Few people seem indifferent on these issues," said Delio Calzolari, associate institute director and one of the poll designers. "A vast majority appears to philosophically agree with decriminalization like the steps taken last year, although the definition of decriminalization and amounts in question are debatable.  There is also overwhelming support for new cannabis public policy for recreational use shown."
The poll was conducted March 4 to 11 and included 1,000 randomly selected registered voters and a margin for error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.