220-3289 survey conducted: january 26-29, 2012 state of california drug policy reform ballot measure...
TRANSCRIPT
220-3289
Survey Conducted:January 26-29, 2012
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DRUG POLICY REFORM BALLOT
MEASURE ISSUES SURVEY
Methodology
Telephone interviews with 804 California voters likely to cast ballots in the November 2012 election
Interviews conducted January 26 - 29, 2012
Interviews via landlines and mobile phones
Margin of sampling error of +/- 3.5% at the 95% confidence level; margins for subgroups within the sample will be higher
2
General Voter Mindset and Attitudes Toward
Marijuana
3
Separating the issue from the proposed ballot measure, six-in-ten voters believe
marijuana should be legalized.
4Q27
Regardless of how you feel about this specific proposition, do you think the use of marijuana should be made legal, or not?
Eight-in-ten believe new drug policies are needed, and many think law
enforcement needs to focus on more serious crimes.
58. I am going to read you a list of statements. Please tell me whether you generally agree or disagree with the statement. ^Not Part of Split Sample
Total Agree
80%
71%
71%
64%
State and federal drug laws are outdated and have failed, therefore, we need to
take a new approach that makes sense for today
State and local law enforcement agencies spend too much time, money and
resources enforcing marijuana laws
Regulating the sale and possession of marijuana would allow law enforcement
officers to concentrate on arresting gang members and other violent criminals
Regardless of what the law says, people use marijuana, so we might as well tax it
to fund public schools, police and fire services, and other vital services
(Ranked by Strongly Agree)
Voters believe responsible adults should have the right to use
marijuana.
6
Total Agree
67%
64%
63%
Responsible adults over the age of 21 should have the right to use marijuana
^Using marijuana poses no greater risk to society than drinking alcohol
A main reason for severe prison overcrowding is the prosecution and
incarceration of non-violent drug offenders
8. I am going to read you a list of statements. Please tell me whether you generally agree or disagree with the statement. ^Not Part of Split Sample
Vote on Official Title & Summary and
Support for RMLW Provisions
7
Official RMLW Title & Summary as Prepared by the CA Attorney
General
8
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
• Decriminalizes marijuana sales, distribution, possession, use, cultivation, and transportation. • Dismisses pending court actions inconsistent with its provisions. • Retains laws forbidding use while driving or in workplace. • Establishes regulation of commercial marijuana trade to match regulation of wine and beer.• Allows non-commercial production up to 24 flowering plants per household, or more with local
approval. • Authorizes retail sales of marijuana with THC level of 0.3% or more to persons 21 or older; if
less, no age limit. • Directs state and local officials to not cooperate with federal enforcement of marijuana laws.• Bans development of genetically modified marijuana.
The summary of the estimate by the Legislative Analyst of the fiscal impact on state and local government is:
• Savings of potentially several tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders.
• Potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in net additional tax revenues related to the production and sale of marijuana products.
A solid majority favors the measure after hearing the title & summary, with 35% voting “definitely yes.”
93. If the election were today, do you think you would vote yes in favor, or no to oppose this ballot measure?
Total Yes56%
Total No
40%
After a plain language summary, the yes vote increases to three-fifths,
and support intensifies.
105. If the election were today, do you think you would vote yes in favor of the REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE WINE ACT, or no to oppose this ballot measure?
The title of this measure is the REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE WINE ACT, and it would make state laws regulating and controlling marijuana to match state laws regulating the sale and possession of wine, and allow the state and local government to collect tax revenues related to the production and sale of marijuana products. The measure would also continue to make it illegal to drive or work under the influence of marijuana, and prohibits the use of marijuana in public. The measure also requires producers, distributors, and sellers of marijuana products to be licensed by the state, requires all employees of businesses selling marijuana must pass criminal background checks, and prohibits the sale of marijuana near schools or playgrounds.
Total Yes62%
Total No
35%
Demographic Breakdown of Vote on RMLW Plain Language Summary
Party Registration
68%
70%
48%
30%
25%
48%
3% 5% 3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Democrats Independents Republicans
Total Yes Total No Undecided
(% of Sample) (24%)(45%) (31%)
5. If the election were today, do you think you would vote yes in favor of the REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE WINE ACT, or no to oppose this ballot measure?
Ideology77
%
60%
50%
21%
36%
47%
2% 4% 3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Liberal Moderate Conservative
Total Yes Total No Undecided
(% of Sample) (24%)(45%) (31%)
Demographic Breakdown of Vote on RMLW Plain Language Summary
5. If the election were today, do you think you would vote yes in favor of the REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE WINE ACT, or no to oppose this ballot measure?
Age66
%
59%
55%
32% 37
% 42%
2% 4% 3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Ages 18-49 Ages 50+ Ages 65+
Total Yes Total No Undecided
(% of Sample) (24%)(45%) (31%)
Demographic Breakdown of Vote on RMLW Plain Language Summary
5. If the election were today, do you think you would vote yes in favor of the REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE WINE ACT, or no to oppose this ballot measure?
Media Market
59%
72%
63%
57% 61
%
38%
26% 31
% 39%
37%
3% 2%
6% 4% 2%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Los Angeles San Francisco San Diego Sacramento All Others
Total Yes Total No Undecided
(% of Sample) (24%)(45%) (31%)
Demographic Breakdown of Vote on RMLW Plain Language Summary
5. If the election were today, do you think you would vote yes in favor of the REGULATE MARIJUANA LIKE WINE ACT, or no to oppose this ballot measure?
Voters strongly support provisions ensuring public safety and regulations that keep
marijuana away from youth.
156. I’m going to read you some of the specific provisions of this ballot measure we have been discussing. Please tell me if it sounds like something you would support or oppose. *Split Sample
Total Support
82%
81%
79%
81%
77%
Retains laws forbidding use while driving or in workplace
*Prohibits advertising of marijuana products to people under age 21
*Prohibits the sale of marijuana at night, near schools or playgrounds, and in areas
with a high rate of crime
*Requires the state to regulate, oversee, and enforce laws to ensure public safety
and health
*Requires employees of businesses selling marijuana to pass criminal
background checks
(Ranked by Strongly Support)
220-3289
Survey Conducted:January 26-29, 2012
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DRUG POLICY REFORM BALLOT
MEASURE ISSUES SURVEY