California Voters Think Marijuana Legalization Works Better Than Kamala Harris And Gavin Newsom

Most California voters feel that legalizing marijuana has been “good” for the state.

In fact, the state’s legal cannabis system is more popular among voters than Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) or the state legislature.

That’s according to a new poll released on Wednesday by Quinnipiac University, which asked 912 California voters to weigh in on a wide range of issues.

Fifty-four percent of respondents said that marijuana legalization was “good,” compared to 31 percent who said it was “bad.” But while Harris is popular as a presidential candidate among Golden State voters, 53 percent said they approve of the job she’s doing in the Senate.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) got a thumbs up from only 51 percent of voters for her work on Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, just 39 percent said they like how Newsom is handling his gubernatorial duties.

And when it comes to the state legislature, 39 percent said they approve of how things are being done in Sacramento.

Separately, the poll also shows widespread support for clearing the criminal records of individuals who’ve been convicted of possessing marijuana. Sixty-four percent said they agreed with that policy, compared to 28 percent who did not.

While former Gov. Jerry Brown (D) said recently that he thinks it’s too early to judge how well the state’s marijuana program is operating and that legalization is “purely for pleasure,” it seems the majority of his fellow Californians disagree and feel positively about the legal system.

California voters approved Proposition 64, an initiative legalizing cannabis for adult use, during the 2016 election. The measure passed 57-43 percent. However, the first retail marijuana shops didn’t open until January 2018, so it’s been just over a year since the full system went into effect. Adults were allowed to possess, gift and cultivate cannabis immediately after the ballot vote.

During last year’s election, marijuana initiatives on the ballot in three states received more voters than several top office seekers, a Marijuana Moment analysis found.

Former California Governor Jerry Brown Won’t Stop Insulting Marijuana Consumers And Legalization Advocates

Photo courtesy of Nicholas C. Morton.

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