Coloradans Closely Divided on Marijuana Legalization

Colorado voters are divided on marijuana legalization.  Three statewide voter polls conducted in October show legalization below or barely at 50 percent support.  The recent DU poll (10-6), which asked Colorado voters their views on Proposition 64, the marijuana legalization amendment, had half the voters offering support (50%). But the latest CBS/New York Times/Quinnipiac (10-9) and the Denver Post (10-10) polls show the initiative with less than 50 percent support (CBS/NYT/Quinnipiac: 45% favor, 46% oppose; Denver Post: 48% favor, 43% oppose).

The final result will reflect the campaigns by the respective sides and may be affected by turnout for the presidential candidates.  Democrats and Republicans have dramatically different levels of support for legalization.  But, a narrow loss is possible.

Colorado is joined by Washington and Oregon, liberal Pacific Coast states, with easy ballot access and less expensive media markets in the national push by marijuana advocates for legalization.