Poll show N.J. prepared to pass legal weed referendum by wide margin

A referendum to legalize recreational adult use of marijuana in New Jersey is headed toward passage by a huge margin, a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released today says.

Likely voters support the referendum by a 61%-29% margin, with just 10% of New Jerseyans still undecided.

Republicans are backing the referendum by a 52%-40% margin. Among Democrats, approval is at 71%-20%, and it’s at 57%-29% among independents.

The referendum is at 64%-28% among white, non-Hispanic voters, and at 58%-29% among non-white voters, the poll says.  Voters over age 55 are backing the legalization of marijuana by a 51%-40% margin; 77% of voters ages 18-34 are in favor of it.

According to the FDU poll, the legal weed proposal is over 60% in all regions of the state.

“Public opinion on this issue has evolved considerably. Just a few years ago, in 2018, we asked about recreational marijuana legalization and found support that was well beneath a majority, let alone anything that approached the support we’re seeing today. Back then, 42 percent support what is being proposed today,” said Krista Jenkins, the FDU poll director and professor of politics and government at Fairleigh Dickinson University. “The legislative maneuver to give voters the say looks like it will wind up with a decisive pro-pot outcome.”