A new Quinnipiac University poll shows a majority of Ohioans support legalization of marijuana, for medicinal use or for recreational use. As Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports, groups backing legalization efforts say they are not surprised by the findings.
The Quinnipiac poll shows 84 percent of Ohioans favor making medical marijuana legal and 52 percent favor full legalization. Lydia Bolander, a supporter of ResponsibleOhio, one of the groups that wants to legalize marijuana under specific rules and guidelines, said she's not surprised.
"The polling is fairly consistent with what our internal polling has shown," Bolander said, "which is that Ohioans know that marijuana prohibition has failed and they are eager for reform."
Bolander says her group has collected about 50,000 of the nearly more than 306,000 valid signatures it needs to be put the issue on this fall's ballot. Sri Kavuru is with another group, Ohioans to End Prohibition, which is organizing a marijuana legalization ballot issue next year.
"Over 100 volunteers have offered to sign up as well," Kavuru said. "We have been meeting with and speaking to donors of all sizes."
But if any group is successful in putting the issue before voters, there's no guarantee Ohioans would use it. Only 14 percent of those surveyed in this poll say they would probably or definitely use marijuana if it becomes legal.