Stigma Is Fading: New Poll Shows Cannabis Legalization Has Majority Support
Public opinion is one of the most powerful forces when it comes to drug policy.
Once the majority has reached a consensus, we start seeing voters from various political affiliations coming together on issues and making real changes in the world. Cannabis is a perfect example: it’s long been controversial and in many parts of society, it still is. But the growing number of people who consume marijuana and support legalization prove it’s no longer a fringe issue but a serious public health concern.
Marijuana is a topic that may divide people, but more importantly, it can unite those who believe in its benefits for health, economic opportunity, and criminal justice reform. Thankfully, we’re now seeing that marijuana unites people more than it divides. Support for legalization is a sign that the decades of prohibition behind us didn’t accomplish what it had hoped; it only restricted patient access and medical research.
Most Americans Now Support Cannabis Legalization
YouGov conducted a large-scale poll in December 2025, gathering feedback from over 31,000 adults in the United States regarding various cannabis-related topics.
When they were asked if they think recreational cannabis should be legalized around the country, 54% agreed, while 27% were opponents of legalization. Meanwhile, 19% remained unsure. The respondents’ political affiliation had an impact on their responses. Almost 7 out of 10 Democrats supported legalization, and most Independents were also supportive.
Opinions were divided amongst the Republicans in the group; opposition and legalization both received 41% support.
As per the results, there was notably strong support to reschedule marijuana for better medical research. Seventy percent of respondents were either somewhat approving or strongly approving of reclassifying the drug, while 16% were against it. Approval for reclassification was high regardless of political affiliation; most Democrats, Republicans, and Independents supported it. This reflects the importance of medical evaluation and research.
Federally approved marijuana research and studies is critical since it determines what policymakers, doctors, and even the public will eventually learn to accept about cannabis. On the other hand, the absence of federally approved marijuana studies on certain topics will always remain under speculation.
Federal Policy Shifts
YouGov’s poll was conducted at a time when President Donald Trump’s executive order directing the rescheduling of cannabis to a Schedule III substance was still very fresh. Should reclassification be successful, it would greatly reduce barriers to scientific research on cannabis while enabling more relevant studies on real-world medical marijuana use.
This polling data is powerful for more reasons than one: first, it’s because most Americans continue to support cannabis reform, a trend that continues to grow. Cannabis is no longer framed as a cultural or moral issue; it’s being viewed through the lens of pragmatic governance, public health, and scientific research.
The YouGov poll data also reveals that marijuana reform is one of the few issues where we can witness bipartisan support. After all, seeing a majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents agree on the same crucial matters reveals that the opposition is nothing but ideological.
These are timely, given all the federal policy shifts that are ongoing.
What Can Happen Next
The poll results aren’t talking about a debate: it’s describing something that has already, largely, been decided by the American people. Cannabis should be legalized and rescheduled.
What happens next will depend on whether our government and policymakers will listen to the people, acting with the necessary urgency that we have been needing. Should the current momentum take hold, here’s what could happen next:
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Speeding up federal research: When marijuana has been reclassified to Schedule III, it will pave the way for university-led studies and federally approved clinical trials that we never had access to before. We can expect to see a dramatic surge in research on cannabis for pain, anxiety, PTSD, neurodegenerative diseases, and so much more.
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Cannabis in healthcare is normalized: When federally approved research gains traction, we’ll be hearing about cannabis in conversations within the healthcare setting more frequently. These include insurance, medical education, and clinical or hospital settings. This type of normalization will reduce stigma for providers as much as patients.
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Added pressure for legislative reform: These polls make it harder for Congress to ignore doing what’s right. They will need to take action sooner rather than later, in the form of federal reform. It will be necessary to improve banking access, medical standards, and the profitability for cannabis businesses.
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Media narratives will change: Public opinion is already pretty solid when it comes to weed, but this can only improve with time. As this happens, media coverage will end up framing marijuana as a public health issue instead of a controversial drug that causes harm.
We’ve already moved on from fear-based narratives and outdated logic. This data is just one of thousands that makes it clear.
That said, what remains to be seen is how lawmakers will react to the undeniable changing realities and legal landscape.
CONCLUSION
The latest polling data from YouGov makes it loud and clear that most Americans support cannabis legalization. The nation sees cannabis as a valuable plant that possesses important therapeutic benefits, and the people support federal reclassification, which would finally propel important research to take place.
Cannabis isn’t a cure-all, but it isn’t a threat to society either. However, it’s a highly valuable medicinal substance with important, life-saving properties that deserves careful studying. It is only through legitimate scientific study that we can better understand its therapeutic value, learn about proper dosing, and more practical uses.
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