Poll: Most New Yorkers Want Marijuana Legalized for Medical Use

A new poll by Cornell University Survey Research Institute found that six in 10 New Yorkers are in favor of legalizing marijuana for medical use. A higher percentage of upstate residents support it than downstate – 67 percent versus 62 percent.

There is a marked difference in attitude between Democrats and unaffiliated voters on one side and Republicans on the other, according to the poll. Sixty-six percent of Democrats and 68 percent of unaffiliated voters support legalization. The plurality of Republicans—48 percent—are against legalization. More men support medical marijuana than women—67 percent to 61 percent. The higher the household income, the more likely the support for legalization—53 percent for people with household incomes below $30,000 compared to 73 percent for those with incomes of $100,000 or more, the Survey Research Institute said.

The poll surveyed New Yorkers on a number of issues facing their community and the state, including community satisfaction, economic perceptions and the budget. When asked about drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, located mostly in the Southern Tier in New York, 25 percent of residents said the revenues outweigh the risks and 53 percent said the environmental risks outweigh the potential revenues. Twenty-two percent said they didn’t know enough about drilling to answer the question.

The survey found that upstate voters are more likely to believe the revenues outweigh the risks. Thirty-five percent of upstaters said the money outweighs the risks and 43 percent said it does not. For downstate residents, 59 percent said the risks outweigh the revenues and 20 percent said the opposite.

Legislation to legalize medical marijuana didn’t get through the Senate or Assembly this year. It would have allowed patients registered with the state Department of Health to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana on hand at any time. It could not be smoked in public places. The state would register organizations that would acquire, manufacture, sell, deliver, transport and distribute marijuana for medical use.

Bills on the topic have been introduced for more than a dozen years. The Assembly has passed legislation twice before. Neither house brought the bill to the full floor for a vote this year.

Fourteen other states allow the use of marijuana for patients who have serious or life-threatening medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis. Users have said it relieves nausea and reduces chronic pain and muscle spasms.

There are strong supporters and opponents of allowing patients to smoke marijuana for medical reasons . Groups that oppose it argue there are synthetic drugs in pill form that are legal, and allowing possession of marijuana could lead to more drug abuse and crime. Those that support it, including patients, say smoking marijuana is more effective and can be controlled better if they smoke it versus taking a pill.