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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Alaskans Satisfied with Existing Marijuana Laws

March 26, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Alaska support a ruling by their state’s Supreme Court on the issue of cannabis possession, according to a poll by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research. 50 per cent of respondents favour allowing adults to keep up to four ounces of marijuana for personal use in their homes.
The 1975 Alaska State Supreme Court ruling was reaffirmed in 2004. In November 2004, 56 per cent of voters in Alaska rejected a proposal to "legalize the cultivation, use and sale of marijuana for persons 21 and older" in a statewide vote.

In June 2005, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the federal government can block the cultivation of cannabis for personal use, citing broader social and financial implications. The 6-3 decision effectively allows the federal government to override state legislation.

Ten U.S. states—Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington—allow the use of marijuana under medical supervision.

Alaska governor Frank Murkowski has proposed a law that would prohibit the possession of any amount of marijuana for personal use in the state. 56 per cent of respondents are opposed to this plan.

Polling Data

The Alaska State Supreme Court has ruled that the privacy provision of the state constitution allows adults to possess up to four ounces of marijuana for personal use in their homes. Overall, do you strongly favour, somewhat favour, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this ruling?

Strongly favour 28%
Somewhat favour 22%
Somewhat oppose 14%
Strongly oppose 33%
Not sure 3%

In response to this ruling by the State Supreme Court, Alaska governor Frank Murkowski has proposed a law that would prohibit possession by Alaskans of any amount of marijuana for personal use. Overall, do you strongly favour, somewhat favour, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose this proposed law?

Strongly favour 30%
Somewhat favour 13%
Somewhat oppose 17%
Strongly oppose 39%
Not sure 1%

Source: Goodwin Simon Strategic Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 500 Alaskan voters, conducted from Mar. 6 to Mar. 11, 2006. Margin of error is 4.3 per cent.