On Oct. 26, 2016, the Las Vegas Review-Journal announced the results of its latest state legalization poll, with support for recreational legalization garnering a slight lead over the opposition.
The poll, conducted by polling firm Bendixen & Amandi International, found that 47% of participants support Question 2, the recreational marijuana ballot initiative, 43% oppose it and 10% are undecided.
Even though support for recreational legalization has a slight lead, state legalization has yet to be won. “Being under 50 percent at this point, frankly would make me nervous if I were them,” said Anthony Williams, special projects director at Bendixen & Amandi International.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “Opposition to Question 2 among Nevadans dropped three points compared to a previous Review-Journal poll conducted by the same firm between Sep. 27 and Sept. 29. The number of supporters remained the same between the two polls.”
The Las Vegas Review-Journal previously supported recreational legalization; however, the newspaper reversed its stance after being purchased by Sheldon Adelson, a casino magnate, in December 2015. Adelson has made donations to fight legalization initiatives in multiple states, including Arizona and Florida.