More than half of voters said they support amending the Missouri Constitution to allow for the medical use of marijuana.
A majority of residents in Missouri are in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, according to a new survey conducted by TJP Strategies, a Democratic consulting firm, on behalf of Missouri Scout.
When asked if the Missouri Constitution should be amended to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes, 54 percent of respondents said they were in favor, 35 percent were opposed, and 11 percent remained undecided.
The poll revealed stronger support for medical cannabis among progressive-minded voters, with 40 percent of conservatives, 65 percent of moderates, and 69 percent of liberals in favor. Sixty-eight percent of Democrats said they support amending the state constitution, compared to 41 percent of Republicans.
Females were one point more likely to vote for legalizing medical marijuana and four points more likely to still be undecided on the issue. Males were 6 percent more likely to oppose the measure.
The survey arrives a few months before Missouri voters head to the polls to decide on three medical marijuana initiatives, including two questions proposing amending the state constitution and a statute that would rewrite state law.
The survey’s findings could mean good news for Democratic United States Senator Claire McCaskill, who is up for her third term and running neck-and-neck with Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley. While Hawley has recently stated that he’s “inclined” to support one of the medical cannabis initiatives in November, McCaskill has explicitly stated that she “think[s] medical marijuana should be passed.” According to the survey, both McCaskill and Hawley polled at 45 percent.
The poll also found that more than half of those surveyed are in favor of increasing the minimum wage and overhauling the ethics laws.
The TJP Strategies poll for Missouri Scout surveyed 1,785 voters from August 8-9.
More States Could Legalize Some Form of Cannabis
Missouri is one of four states that could legalize some form of marijuana in the upcoming November election.
In North Dakota, voters will decide whether to legalize adult use marijuana. North Dakotans only approved medical marijuana fewer than two years ago, and could become the most traditionally conservative state in the country to end cannabis prohibition and adopt full legalization.
Michigan voters will also face a question on adult use marijuana legalization. Having a robust medical marijuana industry since 2008, there is a strong chance that Michigan voters will be comfortable with also regulating recreational marijuana.
Like Missouri, Utah will consider a ballot initiative proposing to legalize medical marijuana. Polling suggests that Utahns are more than ready to allow patients with certain conditions to legally access cannabis.
After opting to legalize medical marijuana in June, Oklahoma voters were close to deciding on an adult-use initiative in November, but the campaign failed to collect enough signatures in time to make the ballot this go-around.
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