Survey Finds A Majority Of New York Voters Support Accelerated Rollout Of Legalized Cannabis

WAKEFIELD, Mass., – A new survey conducted by Siena College Research Institute on behalf of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. a U.S. provider of consumer products in cannabis, finds 57% of New Yorkers favor a faster rollout of legalized cannabis through the expansion of the current medical market compared to legalization proposals that could take 18 months or longer.

According to the survey by the independent pollster, conducted online in February 2021 among 800 New York state registered voters, a majority of New Yorkers (84%) believe that tax revenue from legalization will help New York’s financial situation. As one of the most populated states in the country with more than 20 million residents, a legalized adult-use cannabis industry would bring many jobs to New York, and according to the state’s budget director raise an estimated $300M in annual tax revenue, while also hopefully bringing economic relief and entrepreneurial opportunities to communities most impacted by the war on drugs.

According to the survey, 67% of voters say it is important that the regulation of adult-use cannabis ensures racial, ethnic and gender diversity in the industry and 69% of participants say it is important that the rollout of adult-use cannabis positively impacts communities that have seen the most impact from the war on drugs. In addition, 58% of New Yorkers support directing a portion of cannabis revenue into a community reinvestment fund to benefit communities most affected by past marijuana criminalization.

In addition to findings that support an accelerated and equitable adult-use market, the Siena survey also finds that:

• A majority on New York state voters believe cannabis is safe and, in many cases, can be helpful in promoting wellness (72%)
• At a rate of 65% New Yorkers agree that with adult-use recreational marijuana legal in many states including Massachusetts and New Jersey, there´s no good reason for New York not to legalize
• 57% of New Yorkers approve of the way medical marijuana dispensaries are being operated in New York (with 31% having no opinion)
• 57% of New Yorkers prefer to license medical dispensaries for adult-use sooner in order to facilitate a quicker rollout
• 78% of New Yorkers believe it is somewhat or very likely that cannabis will be legalized in 2021

(Image: Woman outside of Flatiron building New York City).