Voters now oppose marijuana legalization, latest poll finds

California voters now oppose Proposition 19, the measure to legalize marijuana, by 49% to 44%, according to the latest poll from the Public Policy Institute of California.

The poll found a sharp reversal from last month, with support dropping 8 percentage points. The previous poll found that 52% of likely voters favored the measure. That poll, coming after others found that about half the electorate backed legalization, had encouraged supporters and helped bring in high-dollar donations.

The latest poll found a drop in support across all demographic groups, but most steeply among Latino voters. In September, 63% backed it. Now, 51% oppose it.

The latest poll shows that men are evenly split. In September, men favored the measure by 16 points. Women now oppose the initiative  50% to 41%. The earlier poll found them slightly in favor.

Independent voters strongly backed the measure, 65% to 31%, in September, but they now oppose it, 49% to 40%. Democrats support the measure by 56%, down 7 percentage points from last month. Republicans reject it by 66%, an increase of 4 percentage points.

The earlier poll showed overwhelming support among likely voters between ages 18 and 34. Support in that age bracket dropped from 70% to 59% this month. Support also slipped among voters 35 and older.

Much of the change appears to have been driven by evaporating support in Southern California. In September, 56% of likely voters in Los Angeles County and 52% in other Southern California counties supported the measure. This month, those percentages slipped to 41% and 42%.

The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,067 likely voters Oct. 10-17. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

-- John Hoeffel

Comments

[Cesar Hechler]

To find out if this is useful legislation or not, everyone of voting age should smoke some. If enough people can overcome the munchies, paranoia, apathy and whatever other effects may come about to get to the voting booths to pass the proposition, then it obviously isn't as bad as some people make it out to be and we can quit futzing around with pulling the rug out from underneath truly sick people that need it but keep having their supplies busted/moved around. Why is this kind of stuff so difficult to figure out when Europe has been working with reason instead of political see-saw for decades. I sense there is rampant paranoia, but it isn't from smoking too much weed. Forget about religion, talk radio/tv is the new opiate of the masses, and THAT is your source of paranoia.

[JOE RILEY]

APRIL FOOLS IS OVER!

Seriously, this is proof that post-polling is inaccurate.

[LA]

I am a 20-year-old Latino and I oppose legalizing marijuana!

[frmkt]

"...surveyed 1,067 likely voters..." a neglible number to be sure. prop 19 will pass and eventually, the federal gov't will legalize this harmless plant that provides so much fun just as agave does for tequila!

[Leo T.]

I think the more people learn about the prop. the less inclined they are to vote for it. I was going to vote in favor, until I read some of the oppositions post in the LA Times blogs.

No one seems to have any ideas how it will work, no details at all, it was totally ill prepared and should be scraped, reworked in a few years when the country has it together as a whole, and can handle it effectively.

[James Andrews]

The PPIC is projecting Democrats winning but the pot initiative losing. This is a lame attempt to bring out the youth vote to help save Boxer and Brown. No one is fooled into thinking this leftist organization is releasing real data.

[dt55805]

and its not even the Field Poll, which is the recognized polling organization in California.

[Tony]

One poll of just over 1,000 people for a state of close to 40 million people is hardly representative... Plus or minus 3.5 points? That means that Prop 19 could be just as easily leading 52.5 to 40.5...

Don't believe the Hype!

[eric]

"The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,067 likely voters Oct. 10-17. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points."

Just how exactly does a sample from 1,000 people have any chance of reflecting the attitude of the masses?

This is just a poor attempt to misled people..

[Brian]

This is stupid. I don't know anyone polled. Potheads, put down the pipe and vote.

[classic viral vid]

if this fails because of the strong corporate government propaganda, it will be a huge disappoinment, but we will just try next time. we're not backing down.

[nikeylynn]

Since the legalization of MJ will not be backed by the Federal Government, there is no reason to legalize it. Plus, who wants the govenment in charge of selling it. The price will be sky high and the quality will be weak. No thanks!!

[Hypatia]

I don't believe you!

[REA]

No pollsters polled me.

Yes on 19!

Lead the way Cailfornia. The rest will follow.

[joepen12000]

The Public Policy Institute of California -- What conservative think tank is that?

[Legalizepot]

yes on Prop 19 its a plant not a drug..studies have proven its not as bad as everyone seems like it people should research the subject before voting no.