Majority of Republican Millennials Support Legal Marijuana

By Marisa DeZara

When it comes to passing legislation surrounding issues like same sex marriage or legal marijuana, young voters matter.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center shows that the majority of young Republicans favor marijuana legalization. Nearly two-thirds of Republican millennials, 63 percent, support legal marijuana, far surpassing the opposition.

Democratic millennials, unsurprisingly, show sweeping support for marijuana, with three-in-four voters favoring legal marijuana use. Across all generations, Democratic support seems to be consistent, as 61 percent of Gen Xers, 66 percent of Boomers and 44 percent of the silent generation all support legal marijuana.

Support for Marijuana Largely a Generational Story

On the whole, as evident in both Democratic and Republican parties, young voters tend to align with legislation that is progressive in nature. The Pew Research Center noted: “The debate over marijuana also comes ahead of the 2016 presidential election, when both political parties are fighting over the coveted millennial vote as this group of eligible voters swells in size, even if its members do not consistently show up on Election Day.”

Despite a majority support for legal marijuana legislation, Americans are still concerned about the drug and its implications, should it be legalized. According to a separate Pew survey from February 2014, 54 percent of Americans say legalization may increase the risk of underage consumption. However, when compared to alcohol, marijuana is viewed as a much less harmful drug to both personal health and society.

Moreover, 76 percent of Americans believe that marijuana-based crimes, mainly possession, should not warrant conviction. A large majority of Republicans, as well as Democrats, agree that those who possess small amounts of marijuana should not have to serve jail time.

Although widespread marijuana acceptance is namely a generational tale, one has to question how the media also impacts societal views. For instance, the Pew survey indicates that Baby Boomers’ support for marijuana legalization peaked in the late 1970s, before dropping in the 1980s as a result of America’s “War on Drugs.”

Not coincidentally, in a similar case, millennials have wildly shifted viewpoints within the past decade. In 2006, only 34 percent of millennials favored legal marijuana, but by 2014 support had skyrocketed to 69 percent. This rise can best be accounted for a rise in marijuana support emanating from big media outlets.

This raises the question: Does media exposure to issues like gay marriage and marijuana dictate societal views?

In short, yes. From a monetary, social and medical perspective, the media is littered with positive press surrounding marijuana and its promising industry. Not a day goes by where marijuana is missing from a news headline. America is bombarded with stories about marijuana, and that exposure shapes the way millennials, Boomers, Gen Xers and the silent generation view legalization and the current state of the marijuana market.

Guest Contributor designates a writer who is guest publishing content with MJINews.

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