7 In 10 US Voters Support Federal Marijuana Reform...

Seven in 10 American voters want to see the end of federal marijuana
prohibition—and nearly half say they’d view the Trump administration more
favorably if it took action on the issue—according to a new poll.

The survey, commissioned by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education,
and Regulation (CPEAR) and conducted by the firm Forbes Tate Partners,
asked a series of questions to gauge public opinion about cannabis policy
issues.

It found that 70 percent of respondents said they back “reforming federal
cannabis law, thus ending the federal prohibition on cannabis for
adult-use,” and 69 percent said they support “allowing individual states to
decide whether cannabis will be legal in their state.”

The poll also provided additional data on the political advantage for
lawmakers and officials who embrace reform. Nearly half of voters (48
percent) said they’d be more likely to vote for a candidate who backs
cannabis policy changes at the federal level, while just 15 percent said
they’d be less likely and 26 percent said it depends on the politician’s
stance on other issues.

About 45 percent said they would view the Trump administration “much more”
or “somewhat more” favorably if the White House acted on reform. This comes
as an administrative marijuana rescheduling process initiated under former
President Joe Biden has stalled.

Pollsters also collected data on the reasons why people would view the
administration agenda more favorably in the case that it backs reform.
Respondents gave a variety of responses, including the prevailing sentiment
that they’d feel “the Trump administration was actually paying attention to
what the states want to do.”

*Other reasons include: *

- “Because I agree with that policy, whereas I don’t agree with much of
anything he is doing currently.”
- “It provides more jobs, revenue, and health benefits for Americans.”
- “It would be easier for law enforcement officers and governments to do
their work.”
- “Because he is doing the right thing for the American people. Letting
them decide and be in control.”

61% of voters support the STATES 2.0 Act—a bipartisan approach that lets
states decide their own cannabis policies without federal interference.

Americans want a smarter, state-led path forward: https://t.co/dzSm3AcIoh
pic.twitter.com/B81TZnyV2w

— Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (@CPEARCoalition) June 20, 2025

The survey also asked about a specific piece of legislation—the
Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) 2.0 Act—which
would end federal marijuana prohibition in states that have legalized it,
while providing for a basic federal regulatory framework for cannabis
products.

It found that 61 percent of Americans are in favor of that specific
proposal, with just 27 percent opposed.

“This is not about expanding federal power—it’s about limiting it,” Shanita
Penny, executive director of CPEAR, said in a press release. “The STATES
2.0 Act respects the will of voters, reinforces states’ rights, and ensures
law enforcement can focus on real public safety threats—not outdated
cannabis laws. It’s time for Congress and the administration to act on a
policy the American people clearly support.”

The survey from CPEAR, whose membership includes large tobacco and alcohol
companies, concluded by saying the findings “make one thing clear: voters
across the political spectrum continue to support commonsense cannabis
reforms that respect state decisions, enhance public safety, and reflect
evolving attitudes.”

“The STATES 2.0 Act offers a pragmatic path forward—balancing individual
liberty with responsible regulation,” it said. “As the national
conversation around cannabis policy progresses, lawmakers have a clear
mandate from the public to modernize federal law in a way that empowers
states and protects communities.”

The survey involved interviews with 2,051 registered voters aged 21 or
older from May 13-19.

Last year, CPEAR released a separate poll focused on voters in Missouri,
Ohio and Wyoming that found a strong majority—including more than 60
percent of Republicans—support congressional legislation to protect states’
rights to set their own marijuana laws.

Relatedly, a poll released this week that Marijuana Moment partnered on
with the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD showed that a majority of
marijuana consumers disapprove of the Trump administration’s actions on
cannabis policy to date, but there’s also a significant willingness among
users to shift their position if the federal government opts to reschedule
or legalize marijuana.

Earlier this year, meanwhile, a firm associated with Trump—Fabrizio, Lee &
Associates—also polled Americans on a series of broader marijuana policy
issues. Notably, it found that a majority of Republicans back cannabis
rescheduling—and, notably, they’re even more supportive of allowing states
to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average
voter.

That same firm released a poll this week finding that Texas Democratic and
Republican voters are unified in their opposition to a bill on the
governor’s desk that would ban consumable hemp products with any trace of
THC.

Meanwhile, Trump is facing scrutiny from advocates who had hoped to see him
complete the cannabis rescheduling process. While Trump endorsed the
proposal—as well as industry banking access and a Florida legalization
ballot initiative, on the campaign trail last year—he’s since been publicly
silent on the issue.

As part of his latest budget request, the president also again proposed to remove
existing protections for states that have legalized medical marijuana,
while maintaining a ban that’s prevented Washington, D.C. from enacting a
system of regulated adult-use cannabis sales.

Last month, a Senate committee advanced the confirmation of Terrance Cole
to become the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
amid the ongoing review of a marijuana rescheduling proposal that he’s
refused to commit to enacting.

Cole—who has previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana and
linked its use to higher suicide risk among youth—said he would “give the
matter careful consideration after consulting with appropriate personnel
within the Drug Enforcement Administration, familiarizing myself with the
current status of the regulatory process, and reviewing all relevant
information.”

However, during an in-person hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee
in April, he said examining the rescheduling proposal will be “one of my
first priorities” if he was confirmed for the role, saying it’s “time to
move forward” on the stalled process—but again without clarifying what end
result he would like to see.

Separately in April, an activist who received a pardon for a
marijuana-related conviction during Trump’s first term paid a visit to the
White House, discussing future clemency options with the recently appointed
“pardon czar.”

A marijuana industry-backed political action committee (PAC) has also
released a series of ads over recent months that have attacked Biden’s
cannabis policy record as well as the nation of Canada, promoting sometimes
misleading claims about the last administration while making the case that
Trump can deliver on reform.

Its latest ad accused former President Joe Biden and his DEA of waging a
“deep state war” against medical cannabis patients—but without mentioning
that the former president himself initiated the rescheduling process that
marijuana companies want to see completed under Trump.

GOP Marijuana Banking Bill Sponsor Says He’s Not Thinking About Advancing
It Until The Fall Amid Competing Priorities

The post 7 In 10 US Voters Support Federal Marijuana Reform, And Nearly
Half Would View Trump More Favorably If He Took Action, Poll Shows appeared
first on Marijuana Moment.