A strong majority of North Carolina voters support the legalization of medical cannabis in their state, according to the results of a recent public opinion poll. The survey found that seven out of 10 voters (71%) support legalizing medical cannabis, including a strong majority of respondents from both major political parties.
The poll of 703 likely voters was conducted by the Meredith Poll from February 3 through February 10. Among the respondents, 45% said they “strongly” support legalizing medical cannabis, while 26% said they are “somewhat” in favor of legalization.
“North Carolina is one of a handful of states without some form of legal medical marijuana,” David McLennan, poll director for the Meredith Poll, said in a statement about the survey. “With the public strongly behind such a law and most within the medical community supporting this legislation, it seems like this might be a good time to pass such a bill.”
Less than a quarter of respondents were opposed to legalizing medical cannabis, including 9% who said they were “somewhat” opposed and 14% who were “strongly” opposed to the policy change. Only 6% said they didn’t know how they felt about legalizing medical cannabis.
“A majority of every demographic group in the state, even those that self-identify as the most conservative residents, support such legislation,” the Meredith Poll noted in its report on the survey.
Among those identifying as “very conservative,” 62% said they either strongly or somewhat support medical cannabis legalization, while just over a third (35.8%) said they were somewhat or strongly opposed.
A majority of respondents from both major political parties said they support the legalization of medical cannabis, including 62% of Republicans. More than three-quarters of Democrats (78.3%) said they are in favor of legalization, while 73.3% of respondents not affiliated with either party said the same.
Support for Medical Cannabis Legalization Varies by Age
By age group, 63.6% of respondents aged 18 to 28 said they were in favor of legalizing medical cannabis in North Carolina, as did 80% of those aged 29 through 44, 74.8% of 45 through 60-year-olds, and 65.7% of respondents aged 61 through 79. Respondents aged 80 and older were the only demographic group without majority support for legalizing medical cannabis, with 44.4% opposed and 40.7% in favor of the reform.
White voters were most likely among racial groups to support medical cannabis legalization (72.7%), followed by Black respondents (69.2%), Hispanic or Latino respondents (62.5%), and Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander respondents (58.3%). By sex, 72.8% of men and 70.3% of women said they support efforts to legalize medical cannabis.
Kevin Caldwell, southeast legislative manager for the advocacy group Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), said that the survey shows broad support for legalizing medical cannabis in North Carolina.
“The people are ready for this change, will their elected officials listen to them?” said Caldwell, according to a report from online cannabis news source Marijuana Moment.
Lawmakers Seek Bipartisan Support for Legalization
Some legislative leaders believe legalizing medical cannabis may find bipartisan support in the state legislature this year. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, a Republican, said “it seems to me that there’s an opportunity there to address the medical marijuana issue,” as well as hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC that are being sold on the market, “at some point during the session.”
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch said that medical cannabis reform is one of two “very specific, non-partisan issues” that the legislature is likely to address in 2025.
“The incredible level of bipartisan support that medical cannabis continues to have in North Carolina should make it a slam dunk for the General Assembly,” Caldwell of MPP told Marijuana Moment. “However, the continued opposition from entrenched opponents is based more upon control than compassion.”
“To ask a cancer patient or a veteran returning from overseas to continue to use drugs that have a track record of potential addiction and lower quality of life is not empathetic, it is cruel,” he said. “We hope this is the year that changes.”
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The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
