Marijuana Legalization Enjoys Surging Support in the U.S.

According to a Gallup poll, a clear majority of Americans favour legalizing marijuana for the very first time. In 2013, 58 percent of Americans stated the drug should be legalized, in stark contrast to 12 percent back in 1969 when Gallup first asked the question.

Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana over the course of the past 12 months, rounding off a period of resounding success for advocates.

Support for legalizing marijuana gradually increased over the last four decades, reaching 31 percent in 2000. Since then, it rose rapidly until a clear majority was reached in 2013. The successes in Washington and Colorado may have helped more people tolerate the notion of legal marijuana, alongside the fact that more Americans than ever have tried the drug.