Majorities across generations except Silents I favor legalizing marijuana % who say the use of marijuana
Two-thirds of Americans favor marijuana legalization, reflecting a steady increase in public support, according to a September 2019 Pew Research Center survey. Public opinion on marijuana legalization was essentially the opposite nearly two decades ago: In 2000, 63% said the use of marijuana should be illegal.
Views of marijuana legalization differ by generation and political party, though support has increased across demographic groups over time. Majorities of Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1997), Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) say the use of marijuana should be legal, up sharply from a decade ago. And while a smaller share of the Silent Generation (born between 1928 and 1945) currently favors legalization, support among these Americans has also increased.
Few Americans say marijuana should be illegal under all circumstances. In the fall 2019 survey, 59% of U.S. adults said marijuana should be legal for recreational and medical purposes, while another 32% said it should be legal for medical use only. Just 8% said the drug should not be legal.
Majorities across generations except  | Silents I favor legalizing marijuana  | % who say the use of marijuana  | Should NOT  | Should be  | be made legal  | made legal  | Total  | 32  | 67  | Silent  | 64  | 35  | (1928-45)  | Boomer  | 35  | 63  | (1946-64)  | Gen X  | 65  | 34  | (1965-80)  | Millennial  | 22  | 76  | (1981-97)  | Note: Figures may not add to 100% because of rounding No answer  | responses not shown.  | Source: Survey of U.S adults conducted Sept 3-15 2019  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 