DENVER — A poll shows the majority of Colorado voters still approve of the decision to legalize marijuana for adult use.
Only 36 percent of the people surveyed would repeal Amendment 64, according to the statewide survey conducted by Public Policy Polling.
“Three out of five Colorado voters say regulating and taxing marijuana has been good for the economy, and one out of four say they have a friend, relative, or acquaintance who works for or with a regulated marijuana business,” officials with the Marijuana Policy Project said in a statement Monday.
The Marijuana Policy Project commissioned the survey and advocated for legalization.
Overall, 47 percent said they felt Amendment 64 has been good for Colorado, while 39 percent said they felt it has been bad for the state.
The poll also found 24 percent of Colorado voters said they know of a friend, family member or colleague who is consuming less alcohol because they are consuming marijuana instead, the Marijuana Policy Project said.
“The folks who are trying to keep marijuana illegal in this country tell a lot of scary stories and spread a lot of myths about Colorado,” said Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project. “If you ask a typical Colorado voter, you’re likely to hear a more positive and realistic account of how things are going.”
Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 in November 2012. It became legal in January 2014.
“Opponents of Amendment 64 told voters the state would fall apart if they approved Amendment 64, but they could not have been more wrong,” Tvert said. “They said it would hurt the economy, but the economy is booming. They said it would hurt tourism, but we have more visitors spending more money than ever.
“They said the rate of teen use would increase, but state officials confirm it has not. And they said it wouldn’t actually raise any tax revenue, but it has already exceeded expectations and generated tens of millions of dollars for schools and other important programs.”
The survey did not ask participants about their perceived impact on crime rates and personal safety.
Public Policy Polling surveyed 629 Colorado voters on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percent, according to officials.