Survey Research on Regulation of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 

Nine years ago, Colorado voters passed Amendment 20 which authorized the use of medical marijuana by persons who are suffering from debilitating medical conditions and creating exemptions to Colorado criminal law for medical marijuana patients and their primary care-givers.  Recent events have focused attention on the need for a more defined role for medical marijuana dispensaries under Amendment 20.  To assess voter attitudes towards formalizing the role of dispensaries under Amendment 20, Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation and the Marijuana Policy Project hired RBI Strategies and Research to conduct a survey. 

This survey demonstrates that voters would favor establishing state-licensed marijuana dispensaries by a two-to-one margin. 

“Now I am going to read you some proposals that voters might be voting on in the election next November.  This proposal would (1) establish state-licensed marijuana dispensaries to cultivate and provide marijuana to patients with doctors’ recommendations; (2) allow local governments to set limits on the number of dispensaries and to enact zoning regulations applicable to the dispensaries; and (3) require patients to be registered with the state and set a limit on the amount of marijuana patients can acquire through the dispensary system. 

“If the election were held today, would you vote yes or no on this proposal? (IF RESPONDENT NEEDS CLARIFICATION:) A “yes” vote would be a vote to approve the proposal; a “no” vote would be a vote to reject the proposal. (IF UNDECIDED:)  Well, which way would you say you are leaning?“

Strong yes:	34%	Total Yes: 64%
Not strongly yes:	19
Lean yes:	10
Lean no:	4	Total No: 32%
Not strongly no:	6
Strongly no:	23
Undecided:	3

• A total of 64 percent of both men and women said they would support the dispensary system model.
• A majority of registered Republicans (53%), Independents (64%) and Democrats (75%) supported the proposed dispensary system.
• A majority of people within every age group backed the proposal, with the highest levels of support among the over 55 (64%) and under 35 (71%) age groups.
• White voters (65%) supported the proposal at a slightly higher rate than non-white voters (61%).
• Metro Denver was the most supportive area in the state (69%), along with Denver (68%) and the South Front Range (64%). Fifty-two percent of voters in the Western Slope were supportive.

METHODOLOGY 

RBI Strategies & Research conducted a telephone survey of 500 Colorado voters who are likely to participate in the 2010 General Election.  A sample of this size has a margin of error of +/-4.38% at the 95% confidence level.  Survey interviews were conducted from November 6 – November 9, 2009 by professional telemarketers using a statistically valid random sample drawn from a current list of registered voters.

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