Next, I'm going to read a list of problems facing the country. For each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little or not at all. How much do you personally worry about drug use?
Great deal
Fair amount
Only a little
Not at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2024 Mar 1-20
45
25
17
12
*
2023 Mar 1-23
46
24
19
10
*
2022 Mar 1-18
38
29
22
11
-
2021 Mar 1-15
39
28
20
12
*
2020 Mar 2-13
42
25
20
12
*
2019 Mar 1-10
47
26
16
11
1
2018 Mar 1-8
45
25
16
13
1
2017 Mar 1-5
44
22
21
13
*
2016 Mar 2-6
44
23
18
15
*
2015 Mar 5-8
38
24
21
17
*
2014 Mar 6-9 ^
34
29
25
12
*
2013 Mar 7-10
36
24
23
17
*
2012 Mar 8-11
42
24
21
13
*
2011 Mar 3-6
40
24
21
14
1
2010 Mar 4-7
37
27
22
13
1
2008 Mar 6-9
43
24
24
9
*
2007 Mar 11-14
45
26
20
8
*
2006 Mar 13-16
48
25
18
9
*
2005 Mar 7-10
42
23
24
11
*
2004 Mar 8-11
46
19
20
14
1
2003 Mar 24-25
42
26
20
12
*
2002 Mar 4-7
49
22
19
9
1
2001 Mar 5-7
58
22
13
7
*
^ Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
Overall, how would you describe the problem of drugs [ROTATED: in the United States/in the area where you live] -- is it extremely serious, very serious, moderately serious, not too serious or not serious at all?
Extremely serious
Very serious
Moderately serious
Not too serious
Not serious at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
In the United States
2023 Oct 2-23
45
29
20
3
2
*
2021 Oct 1-19
33
31
26
7
2
1
2019 Oct 1-13
37
36
22
4
1
*
2018 Oct 1-10
37
32
22
5
2
2
2017 Oct 5-11
33
38
23
4
1
*
2016 Oct 5-9
32
33
27
6
2
2
2011 Oct 6-9
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
2009 Oct 1-4
35
33
26
5
1
1
2007 Oct 4-7
35
38
24
1
1
1
2005 Oct 13-16
37
33
23
5
1
1
2003 Oct 6-8
31
40
24
3
1
1
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
43
40
15
1
1
*
In the area where you live
2023 Oct 2-23
19
16
36
18
10
*
2021 Oct 1-19
15
16
28
28
13
1
2019 Oct 1-13
16
17
37
22
8
*
2018 Oct 1-10
14
17
37
22
10
1
2017 Oct 5-11
13
16
36
20
12
2
2016 Oct 5-9
13
19
35
20
11
1
2011 Oct 6-9
11
18
36
25
10
1
2009 Oct 1-4
14
16
38
23
8
1
2007 Oct 4-7
14
15
39
21
10
2
2005 Oct 13-16
14
19
35
23
8
1
2003 Oct 6-8
13
17
36
22
11
1
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5
13
21
39
19
6
2
* Less than 0.5%; n/a: Not asked
ºÚÁÏÍø
Now, how much progress do you feel the nation has made over the last year or two in coping with the problem of illegal drugs -- has it made much progress, made some progress, stood still, lost some ground or lost much ground?
Made much progress
Made some progress
Stood still
Lost some ground
Lost much ground
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
2023 Oct
2
22
23
23
29
1
2019 Oct
4
37
27
18
12
2
2018 Oct
5
33
26
19
14
3
2017 Oct
2
30
28
23
14
2
2011 Oct
3
28
31
21
14
3
2009 Oct
3
30
31
19
13
3
2007 Oct
3
31
31
19
13
3
2005 Oct
2
31
30
23
13
1
2003 Oct
3
35
32
17
11
2
2000 Sep
6
41
23
17
12
1
1999 Sep
4
42
27
14
12
1
1996 Nov
3
28
22
24
22
1
1995 Sep
2
36
30
19
11
2
1976 Jun
2
25
29
25
15
4
1974 Apr
4
36
21
19
16
5
1972 May
3
32
20
21
20
5
ºÚÁÏÍø
How concerned are you about the effects marijuana has on adults who use it regularly -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not at all concerned?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not too concerned
Not at all concerned
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2023 Jul 3-27
19
26
23
32
1
ºÚÁÏÍø
How concerned are you about the effects marijuana has on young adults and teens who use it regularly -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned or not at all concerned?
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not too concerned
Not at all concerned
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2023 Jul 3-27
40
35
15
10
*
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next, I'm going to read you a list of issues. Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong. How about smoking marijuana?
Morally acceptable
Morally wrong
Depends (vol.)
Not a moral issue (vol.)
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2020 May 1-13 ^
70
28
2
--
*
2019 May 1-12 ^
65
33
1
1
*
2018 May 1-10 ^
65
31
3
--
2
(vol.)=volunteered response; ^ Asked of a half sample; * Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
Please say whether each of the following is a very important reason why you favor legalizing marijuana, a somewhat important reason, or not an important reason. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?
Asked of those who think marijuana should be legal
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important
No opinion
%
%
%
%
Marijuana helps people who use it for medical reasons
86
12
2
--
It would free up law enforcement to focus on other types of crime
70
23
7
--
It is a matter of freedom and personal choice
60
29
11
*
It will provide a good source of tax revenue for state and local governments
56
30
13
*
Government regulation of marijuana would make it safer for those who use it
47
36
16
*
You do not believe marijuana is harmful to people who use it
35
43
19
3
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø, May 15-30, 2019
Please say whether each of the following is a very important reason why you oppose legalizing marijuana, a somewhat important reason, or not an important reason. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?
Asked of those who think marijuana should not be legal
Very important
Somewhat important
Not important
No opinion
%
%
%
%
It would increase the number of car accidents involving drivers who use marijuana
79
12
8
*
It would lead to more people using stronger and more addictive drugs
69
18
13
*
It would encourage more people to use marijuana
62
21
17
*
Legalizing marijuana would not benefit society or individuals much
60
21
18
*
You believe marijuana is harmful to people who use it
54
22
24
*
You believe the use of drugs, including marijuana, is immoral
43
25
31
1
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø, May 15-30, 2019
Next, please say how often you currently smoke or use each of the following -- regularly, occasionally or never. How about -- Marijuana?
Regularly
Occasionally
Never
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2018 Jul 1-11
5
8
87
*
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
In general, how harmful do you feel each of the following is to people who use them-very harmful, somewhat harmful, not too harmful or not at all harmful? How about -- Marijuana?
Very harmful
Somewhat harmful
Not too harmful
Not at all harmful
Depends (vol.)
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
2018 Jul 1-11
27
29
24
18
1
1
(vol) = volunteered response.
ºÚÁÏÍø
For each of the following drugs, please say how much of a problem you think it is in your area -- is it a crisis, a very serious problem but not a crisis, a somewhat serious problem or not much of a problem?
Crisis
Very serious problem
Somewhat serious problem
Not much of a problem
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
Heroin
17
25
22
29
7
Prescription painkillers
14
30
28
24
5
Cigarettes
10
23
33
33
2
Alcohol
8
24
35
32
1
Cocaine
8
20
29
37
7
Marijuana
6
17
25
50
2
June 14-23, 2016
ºÚÁÏÍø
How much have you heard or read about problems with a type of prescription painkiller known as opioids -- a lot, some, only a little, or nothing at all?
A lot
Some
Only a little
Nothing at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2016 Jun 14-23
46
19
15
18
1
ºÚÁÏÍø
How much do you blame each of the following for the opioid problem -- a lot, some, only a little or not at all?
A lot
Some
Only a little
Not at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
The pharmaceutical industry encouraging doctors to use opioids
55
22
13
7
4
Doctors overprescribing painkillers to their patients
53
27
14
5
2
Lack of public knowledge about the dangers of opioids
49
28
14
8
1
Patients demanding that they be given a prescription to ease their pain
47
29
16
5
3
Jun 14-23, 2016
ºÚÁÏÍø
As you may know, marijuana use is legal in some states. Do you think the federal government should take steps to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws in those states, or not?
Yes, should
No, should not
No opinion
%
%
%
2012 Nov 26-29
34
64
1
ºÚÁÏÍø
Would you favor or oppose making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe in order to reduce pain and suffering?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2010 Oct 7-10
70
27
3
2005 Oct 13-16
78
22
*
2003 Nov 10-12
75
22
3
1999 Mar 19-21
73
25
2
* Less than 0.5%; ^ WORDING: Would you vote for or against making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe in order to reduce pain and suffering?
ºÚÁÏÍø
Some people have proposed legalizing marijuana and then taxing its sale as a way of raising revenue for state governments. Would you favor or oppose this in the state where you live?
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2009 Oct 1-4 ^
42
56
2
^ Asked of a half sample
ºÚÁÏÍø
Do you think the possession of small amounts of marijuana should or should not be treated as a criminal offense?
A majority of Americans say the U.S. is losing ground in coping with the illegal drug problem, while 24% say it is making progress, the lowest in ºÚÁÏÍø's trend.
Support for legalizing marijuana in the U.S. is highest among Democrats and liberals, but majorities of Republicans and conservatives are also in favor.