CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WCNC) - A recent poll from Elon University shows most North Carolinians support legalizing marijuana in the state for both medical and recreational use.
Support for legalization in North Carolina has remained about the same over the past five years. While medical marijuana enjoys broad support across party lines, attitudes toward recreational use vary significantly depending on political affiliation.
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According to the poll, 75% of North Carolinians support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. 89% of Democrats support it, compared to 57% of Republicans.
More than half of those surveyed support recreational legalization. Democrats lead the favor by 74%, while Republican support is 33%.
"There's actually a majority of Republican voters in the state who are opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana or allowing intoxicating levels of hemp-based THC in products," said poll director Jason Husser.
The General Assembly is Republican-controlled, and the survey shows they are most hesitant about legalization, said Husser. Earlier this year, North Carolina's Advisory Council on Cannabis recommended the state establish regulations for an adult-use marijuana market, adding another chapter to the ongoing conversation surrounding cannabis policy.
Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, said the recommendation reflects a broad consensus.
"This was a diverse cross-section of interests of North Carolinians, and it is hardly a surprise that when you get these people together in a room, and you ask them their consensus on what a reasonable, rational marijuana policy ought to look like in North Carolina, they came back with the answer is legalization and regulation, and not continuing this failed policy of prohibition,” Armentano said.