By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
A new Public Policy Poll shows a majority of Rhode Islanders are supportive of regulating and taxing marijuana similar to alcohol.
The survey conducted from April 6 to April 14, sampled 763 Rhode Island voters and found 57 percent were in favor of changing the Ocean State’s marijuana policies; 35 percent of those surveyed disapproved of marijuana legislation and eight percent said they were unsure. Of the Rhode Islanders sampled, 51 percent identified as politically independent and 83 percent were white.
The new poll commissioned by the Marijuana Policy Project, shows an improvement in Rhode Islanders attitudes towards the substance from 2012 when the last survey was taken. In 2012, 52 percent supported marijuana reform, while 41 percent opposed.
“We’ve waited and seen long enough to know that marijuana prohibition is the worst possible policy and it’s been a total failure,” said Regulate Rhode Island Director Jared Moffat.
“A solid majority of Rhode Islanders now support replacing prohibition […] with a more sensible system of regulations and controls.”
The data seems to reinforce a previous US Public Health Survey which ranked Rhode Island number one in the nation for marijuana usage.
Companion State House and Senate bills were introduced in March to legalize and regulate marijuana.
