Latest poll shows likely voters still support California’s marijuana legalization initiative
The new Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll shows likely voters in California continue to support Proposition 64, the state’s ballot 
55 percent favor Proposition 64. A majority of likely voters would vote yes on this measure to legalize marijuana use under state law by adults 21 and older and tax sales and cultivation (38% no, 6% undecided). Most Democratic (66%) and independent (56%) likely voters support the proposition, but a majority of Republicans (60%) would vote no. Majorities in all regions would vote yes. Just under half of Latino likely voters (47%) would vote yes, while majorities of other racial/ethnic groups (65%) and whites (55%) would do so. Across age groups, support is highest among those 18 to 34 (78%). About half of likely voters (51%) say the out come of Proposition 64 is very important. Opponents are more likely than proponents to hold this view (60% to 50%). Responses to our tracking question indicate that support for Proposition (55%) is similar to the level of general support for legalizing the use of marijuana (57%).
In September, PPIC found that 60% of likely voters planned to vote ‘yes’ on Prop. 64, compared to just 36% committed to voting ‘no’—a margin of 24%. The most recent numbers show the margin of support for Prop. 64 at a slightly narrower 17%. Still, the poll offers little hope for a dramatic shift away from support for Prop. 64 before Election Day. California love for legalized weed is quite steady. PPIC’s poll in May showed 60% of likely voters supported legalized marijuana in general, compared to 57% now; and, very few people generally supportive of legalization are willing to pass on Prop. 64. As noted above by PPIC, the difference between general support for marijuana legalization and support for Prop. 64 is negligible. Thus, in the final weeks, opponents must find a way to convince Californians generally supportive of legalization that Prop. 64 is an inappropriate way of achieving that end–a task they’ve struggled with so far.
The poll of 1,704 Californians was conducted from October 14-23 and has a margin of error of ±3.4.