A recent poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights for Keep Utah Medical revealed that a majority of Utah voters now support the legalization of adult-use marijuana. According to the survey, 52% of registered voters would vote in favor of a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for recreational use, while 38% would oppose it. The poll highlights that support for legalization is strongest among Democrats (76%), followed by independents (61%), and Republicans (41%).
The polling firm noted that in a traditionally conservative state like Utah, a winning coalition for marijuana reform could be formed by uniting progressives, centrists, and moderate Republicans. This shift in public opinion suggests that, despite the state’s conservative leanings, support for cannabis reform has gained momentum in recent years.
Push to Improve Medical Cannabis Program over Pursuing Recreational Use
While public sentiment toward recreational cannabis is growing, Alex Iorg, co-founder of Keep Utah Medical, emphasized that his organization is not planning to lead a ballot initiative for adult-use marijuana at this time. Iorg explained that many Utahns support recreational legalization because they view it as a more accessible alternative to the state’s current medical cannabis program, which is often viewed as cumbersome and difficult to navigate.
Iorg highlighted several challenges with Utah’s medical cannabis system, including limited access to telemedicine for rural and disabled patients and strict advertising restrictions that put Utah’s medical dispensaries at a disadvantage compared to out-of-state recreational dispensaries. He stressed the need to simplify the medical cannabis program and “level the playing field” for Utah-based dispensaries before considering broader legalization.
Survey Details and Voter Sentiment
The poll, conducted between March 11-13, involved 609 registered Utah voters and had a margin of error of ±3.97%. Voters were asked:
“Even though medical marijuana is legal in Utah, many residents continue to obtain it illegally for both medical and recreational purposes. Would you be in favor of or against a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for all uses, including recreational purposes?”
The results showed that support for adult-use cannabis has grown compared to previous surveys. A similar poll conducted by Noble Predictive Insights in late 2023 found that 50% of voters supported legalization, while 38% preferred maintaining a medical-only system. Only 9% of respondents at that time believed marijuana should remain entirely illegal.
GOP Leadership Strongly Opposed to Legalization
Despite increasing public support for marijuana reform, Utah’s Republican leadership remains staunchly opposed to legalizing adult-use cannabis. House Speaker Mike Schultz (R) has been particularly vocal about his opposition, stating unequivocally that turning Utah into a recreational marijuana state is “not going to happen.”
Schultz’s opposition is consistent with the broader stance of Utah’s GOP leadership, which has historically resisted cannabis reform. This strong political resistance suggests that, despite growing public approval, the likelihood of adult-use marijuana becoming legal in Utah remains slim—at least in the near future.
Shifting Public Opinion and Legislative Progress
Although full legalization may not be imminent, public opinion in Utah has been steadily shifting toward greater acceptance of cannabis. Over the years, Utah has made incremental progress in expanding access to medical cannabis and exploring alternative therapies.
In a notable step forward, Utah’s legislature passed a bill authorizing a pilot program that allows hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatments for certain conditions. The law, which took effect last year, was allowed to proceed after the governor chose not to veto it, signaling a cautious but growing openness to exploring innovative medical treatments.
Conclusion: Growing Public Support, But Legalization Remains a Challenge
While support for adult-use marijuana in Utah is growing, with a majority of voters now backing legalization, the political landscape remains unfavourable for reform. GOP leaders, including House Speaker Mike Schultz, continue to strongly oppose recreational legalization, making it unlikely that Utah will transition to an adult-use cannabis model in the near future. However, with public sentiment steadily shifting and growing pressure for reform, the path toward broader cannabis legalization in Utah may eventually become more attainable.