Arizona poll shows strong support for marijuana legalization, taxation

PHOENIX — A new poll of Arizona voters showed that there was two-thirds support for the regulation and taxation of recreational marijuana.

The poll, conducted by OH Predictive Insights and the Consumer Choice Center, showed that 62.9 percent of voters polled supported taxing marijuana like alcohol. Of that, 40.9 percent strongly supported it.

Nearly 13 percent of respondents said they were unsure.

There was more than a 20 percent gap between Republicans and Democrats over the issue — 48.2 percent to 68.9 percent.

Meanwhile, 61.7 of independents expressed support for the measure.

Age played a role in the results as well. Younger voters were more likely to be in support of recreational marijuana than older voters. The 18-to-34 age group was 72.5 percent in support while the 65-plus group was just under 51 percent.

The poll consisted of 601 completed surveys which came from almost 37 percent independent voters and a close to even split of Republicans and Democrats. Party affiliation and other demographics of the poll reflected active voter registration in the state.

More than 40 percent of the surveys were completed over cell phone while almost 60 percent came via landlines.

The margin of error for the poll was plus or minus 4 percent.

The poll came as a new proposition may be put on the 2018 ballot that would legalize marijuana for recreational purposes.

A similar proposition was on the 2016 ballot but lost by less than a 3 percent margin.