Support for marijuana legalization drops, still favored by majority of Americans

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Support for legalizing marijuana for recreational use has dipped somewhat since 2013, but is still over 50 percent, according to a new poll.

In 2013, research, data and consulting firm Gallup found 58 percent of Americans supported legalizing marijuana, but a new poll conducted by Gallup in October shows support dropping to 51 percent.

"As long as support hovers around the 50% mark, it will be difficult for proponents to promote legalization beyond the more Democratic and liberal-oriented states," wrote Gallup.

"The South and Midwest are likely to remain less hospitable, at least for the time being. But with a super-majority of younger Americans supportive -- 64 percent of those aged 18 to 34, contrasted with 41 percent of those 55 and older -- it seems inevitable that this will eventually change."

On Tuesday, voters in Oregon, Alaska and the District of Columbia passed laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use, while a measure to legalize medical marijuana in Florida fell 3 percent shy of the 60 percent voter approval required to pass.