TAMPA, Fla. — Supporters of the ballot initiatives that would legalize marijuana and expand abortion rights in Florida need to do some convincing before the fall election.
A poll from Florida Atlantic University’s Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab and Mainstreet Research revealed only 47% of respondents support the recreational marijuana measure and 49% support the abortion measure.
The measures each need 60% of voters to say” yes” to become law.
A breakdown of the poll for recreational marijuana
The poll showed 35% in opposition and 18% who are undecided.
When broken down by demographics, middle-aged voters from 35 years old to 49 years old are most supportive of the amendment. Democratic voters are also more supportive with 58% backing it while Republicans come in at 39% and independents at 43%.
Support among men and women is about the same, and there wasn’t a difference based on white voters with and without a college education.
A breakdown of the poll for abortion rights
The abortion initiative got more support but had 19% opposition, and 32% said they didn’t know.
Out of women surveyed, 49% expressed support, 12% opposed, and 39% were undecided. Black respondents had the highest support with 66% in favor followed by college-educated people with 55%.
“Since almost a third of respondents do not know how they would vote if faced with the ballot initiative, this means that it could go either way come November,” Dr. Luzmarina Garcia, an assistant professor of political science at FAU said in a statement.
What would these ballots do?
Amendment 3 proposes marijuana legalization for adults 21 and older and people can legally buy and use up to 3 ounces of pot for personal use. Amendment 4 would allow women to seek an abortion up to 24 weeks or before fetal viability.
What are the most important issues to voters?
The most important is immigration at 25%. The economy was second at 22%, followed by cost of living at 15%.
Abortion fell behind at 13%.
Where is Florida with these issues currently?
On Wednesday, the state’s six-week abortion ban went into effect. The new law was kept on hold while the state’s previously passed 15-week abortion ban was debated in the Supreme Court.
Previous Florida law allowed abortions up to 24 weeks before DeSantis signed the bill banning them after 15 weeks, which was met with lawsuits. In April 2023, DeSantis and lawmakers approved a law banning abortions after six weeks with certain exceptions.
Only medical marijuana is currently legal in Florida for people who have medical cards. People 18 and older are allowed to buy CBD products including oils and topicals if the product has 0.3% or less of THC and was extracted from the hemp plant. People over 21 can buy CBD vapes.