Seven in 10 American voters want to see the end of federal marijuana prohibition—and nearly half say they’d view the Trump administration more favorably if it took action on the issue—according to a new poll.

The survey, commissioned by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) and conducted by the firm Forbes Tate Partners, asked a series of questions to gauge public opinion about cannabis policy issues.

It found that 70 percent of respondents said they back “reforming federal cannabis law, thus ending the federal prohibition on cannabis for adult-use,” and 69 percent said they support “allowing individual states to decide whether cannabis will be legal in their state.”

The poll also provided additional data on the political advantage for lawmakers and officials who embrace reform. Nearly half of voters (48 percent) said they’d be more likely to vote for a candidate who backs cannabis policy changes at the federal level, while just 15 percent said they’d be less likely and 26 percent said it depends on the politician’s stance on other issues.

About 45 percent said they would view the Trump administration “much more” or “somewhat more” favorably if the White House acted on reform. This comes as an administrative marijuana rescheduling process initiated under former President Joe Biden has stalled.

Pollsters also collected data on the reasons why people would view the administration agenda more favorably in the case that it backs reform. Respondents gave a variety of responses, including the prevailing sentiment that they’d feel “the Trump administration was actually paying attention to what the states want to do.”

Other reasons include: 

• “Because I agree with that policy, whereas I don’t agree with much of anything he is doing currently.”
• “It provides more jobs, revenue, and health benefits for Americans.”
• “It would be easier for law enforcement officers and governments to do their work.”
• “Because he is doing the right thing for the American people. Letting them decide and be in control.”

The survey also asked about a specific piece of legislation—the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) 2.0 Act—which would end federal marijuana prohibition in states that have legalized it, while providing for a basic federal regulatory framework for cannabis products.

It found that 61 percent of Americans are in favor of that specific proposal, with just 27 percent opposed.

“This is not about expanding federal power—it’s about limiting it,” Shanita Penny, executive director of CPEAR, said in a press release. “The STATES 2.0 Act respects the will of voters, reinforces states’ rights, and ensures law enforcement can focus on real public safety threats—not outdated cannabis laws. It’s time for Congress and the administration to act on a policy the American people clearly support.”

The survey from CPEAR, whose membership includes large tobacco and alcohol companies, concluded by saying the findings “make one thing clear: voters across the political spectrum continue to support commonsense cannabis reforms that respect state decisions, enhance public safety, and reflect evolving attitudes.”

“The STATES 2.0 Act offers a pragmatic path forward—balancing individual liberty with responsible regulation,” it said. “As the national conversation around cannabis policy progresses, lawmakers have a clear mandate from the public to modernize federal law in a way that empowers states and protects communities.”

The survey involved interviews with 2,051 registered voters aged 21 or older from May 13-19.

Last year, CPEAR released a separate poll focused on voters in Missouri, Ohio and Wyoming that found a strong majority—including more than 60 percent of Republicans—support congressional legislation to protect states’ rights to set their own marijuana laws.

Relatedly, a poll released this week that Marijuana Moment partnered on with the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD showed that a majority of marijuana consumers disapprove of the Trump administration’s actions on cannabis policy to date, but there’s also a significant willingness among users to shift their position if the federal government opts to reschedule or legalize marijuana.

Earlier this year, meanwhile, a firm associated with Trump—Fabrizio, Lee & Associates—also polled Americans on a series of broader marijuana policy issues. Notably, it found that a majority of Republicans back cannabis rescheduling—and, notably, they’re even more supportive of allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average voter.

That same firm released a poll this week finding that Texas Democratic and Republican voters are unified in their opposition to a bill on the governor’s desk that would ban consumable hemp products with any trace of THC.

Meanwhile, Trump is facing scrutiny from advocates who had hoped to see him complete the cannabis rescheduling process. While Trump endorsed the proposal—as well as industry banking access and a Florida legalization ballot initiative, on the campaign trail last year—he’s since been publicly silent on the issue.

As part of his latest budget request, the president also again proposed to remove existing protections for states that have legalized medical marijuana, while maintaining a ban that’s prevented Washington, D.C. from enacting a system of regulated adult-use cannabis sales.

Last month, a Senate committee advanced the confirmation of Terrance Cole to become the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) amid the ongoing review of a marijuana rescheduling proposal that he’s refused to commit to enacting.

Cole—who has previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana and linked its use to higher suicide risk among youth—said he would “give the matter careful consideration after consulting with appropriate personnel within the Drug Enforcement Administration, familiarizing myself with the current status of the regulatory process, and reviewing all relevant information.”

However, during an in-person hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in April, he said examining the rescheduling proposal will be “one of my first priorities” if he was confirmed for the role, saying it’s “time to move forward” on the stalled process—but again without clarifying what end result he would like to see.

Separately in April, an activist who received a pardon for a marijuana-related conviction during Trump’s first term paid a visit to the White House, discussing future clemency options with the recently appointed “pardon czar.”

A marijuana industry-backed political action committee (PAC) has also released a series of ads over recent months that have attacked Biden’s cannabis policy record as well as the nation of Canada, promoting sometimes misleading claims about the last administration while making the case that Trump can deliver on reform.

Its latest ad accused former President Joe Biden and his DEA of waging a “deep state war” against medical cannabis patients—but without mentioning that the former president himself initiated the rescheduling process that marijuana companies want to see completed under Trump.

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There’s somehow a second Bigfoot and marijuana news story coming out of Michigan in the span of a single month, with controversy swirling around a 14-foot Sasquatch statue outside of a cannabis store that some say sends the wrong message to children.

Previously, an alleged Bigfoot sighting in Monroe County last month sparked some creativity within the marijuana community when, earlier this month, the dispensary Uniq Cannabis started offering a free pre-roll to anyone who brought in photographic proof of the mythological creature.

Now, a Sasquatch statue outside the separate retailer Higher Love, located in Menominee, is at the center of controversy. The exhibit became a talking point at the city planning commission’s meeting this month, where certain community members argued that the faux beast could attract the attention of youth—with one resident advising the panel to “think about what mascots they see in our community and how they are impacting children.”

Karianne Lesperance, executive director of the Healthy Youth Coalition, also sent a letter to the commission that some students have “expressed concern about how these efforts may be normalizing use or influencing young people.”

Joni Moore, president of Higher Love, shared a different perspective.

“I would be in opposition to that,” she told The Eagle Herald. “This is not a cartoon character. Our Sasquatch that’s in front of the store is a little bit scary, so I don’t see how that’s targeting children at all.”

“Everybody loves Sasquatch,” she said. “And people in especially forested areas seem to identify with Sasquatch. He is an adventurous character and it’s really just Higher Love trying to have some fun.”

“Every time I go to a public meeting, there’s always a hater in the audience who just doesn’t like cannabis. That’s fine. People are entitled to their opinions. It just brings a little whimsy to a community and I think it’s all positive. I don’t see any problems at all.”

Michael Scholle, the code and zoning officer in Menominee, said he spoke with City Attorney Michael Celello and was advised that the Bigfoot statue doesn’t violate local laws on signage.

Beyond standing up Bigfoot statues or offering deals for evidence of a mythological creature, marijuana companies have sought to gain publicity in a number of creative ways.

For example, Rolling Derby, a group founded by a group of cannabis industry veterans, announced last month that they have organized a series of “speed-rolling” tournaments, where adults 21 and older can compete against each other virtually or in person to see who can successfully fashion a joint the fastest.

Late last year, Toker’s Guide—which offers an online directory of dispensaries in several jurisdictions—listed series of job listings seeking experienced cannabis consumers in states across the U.S. to sample and review marijuana products.

Also last year, the rolling paper company DaySavers announced they’d pay $4.20 to volunteers willing to smoke two free pre-rolled joints and provide feedback on their smokability.

DaySavers separately launched a campaign last March to hire for what it calls the “ultimate stoner dream job,” seeking a content creator to “get paid to smoke weed.” The full-time social media creator and event marketer job pays $70,420 with perks including cannabis product testing and all expenses paid travel to marijuana events.

Some other high-profile clients have also offered to pay people for rolling joints–for example Snoop Dogg, who said several years ago that he pays someone $40,000 to $50,000 per year to have blunts readily available.

Meanwhile, although it won’t feature a speed-rolling tournament, the California State Fair will once again feature a cannabis exhibit and competition at this year’s event, with expanded award categories meant to showcase the diversity of the state’s market.

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A majority of Utah voters back legalizing marijuana, another new polls shows. But despite that support, the state’s top Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate are reiterating their opposition.

The survey from The Deseret News and Hinckley Institute of Politics, released on Sunday, is one of the latest to show that voters are ready for a policy change, with 53 percent of respondents agreeing that the state should enact adult-use cannabis legalization, including 30 percent who “strongly” embrace reform.

It also shows that an overwhelming 77 percent of voters support the state’s existing medical cannabis law.

In spite of the findings of the poll—which involved interviews with 805 registered Utah voters from May 16-21, with a +/-3.5 percentage point margin of error—GOP leadership in the legislature remains obstinate.

Senate President Stuart Adams (R) told The Desert News that “Utah already has a responsible, well-balanced and effective program that ensures individuals with chronic pain or serious illnesses have access while maintaining strong safeguards to prevent misuse.”

“States that have expanded legalization beyond medical use have seen serious social consequences, including increased homelessness and criminal activity,” he said. “I oppose further expansion because our focus should remain on what truly benefits our state and the well-being of all Utahns.”

House Speaker Mike Schultz (R) echoed that point, saying the state’s “current approach ensures Utahns have access to relief while maintaining important safeguards for public health and safety.”

“I remain firmly opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana,” he said, adding that it’s “encouraging to see that a strong majority of Utahns–77 percent–agree that our focus should remain on providing benefit to those who need it most.”

The survey findings largely resemble a separate March poll from Noble Predictive Insights, which was commissioned by the nonprofit Keep Utah Medical, found that 52 percent of registered Utah voters would support a ballot initiative to end cannabis prohibition.

Schultz, the House speaker, said in response to that survey he has a “huge problem with turning Utah into a recreational state” and “it’s not going to happen.”

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Meanwhile, last month Utah officials confirmed that the state reached a new milestone with its medical marijuana program, with more than 100,000 patients now registered.

State lawmakers have taken steps to build upon the state’s medical marijuana law in recent years.

Despite being known for its political conservatism, Utah’s legislature separately passed legislation last year authorizing a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as an alternative treatment option. The governor let that law take effect without his signature last year.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in Utah recently ordered county law enforcement return psilocybin mushrooms that police seized from a Provo City-based religious group that uses the psychedelic fungi as sacrament.

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