Cannabis Reform and Related Issues

Battleground state voters strongly back marijuana legalization, rescheduling and banking reform

Voters in the important presidential battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin strongly support the legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational uses as well as much-debated banking and scheduling reforms, according to a poll by The Tarrance Group for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.

Support for the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes is nearly universal. According to the poll, which surveyed 1,500 people during the summer in the three states, 83 percent of Michiganders and Pennsylvanians and 79 percent of Wisconsinites favor legalization of medical marijuana.

Legalization of marijuana for recreational use also received strong backing, as 64 percent of respondents in Michigan, 58 percent in Pennsylvania and 62 percent in Wisconsin support recreational marijuana legalization.

Advantages to common sense approaches

“Candidates who favor common sense marijuana laws and rules have a real advantage in battleground states and can make inroads with key voting blocs that are expected to play a critical role in deciding the presidency and control of Congress,” Brian Herrington, vice president of external affairs for ScottsMiracle-Gro, whose Hawthorne Gardening Company subsidiary provides growing supplies to legal cannabis cultivators.

“Regardless of party affiliation, voter support for marijuana reform is as strong as ever. Candidates have an opportunity to align with voter preferences by ending prohibition with responsible regulation, giving legal cannabis businesses access to commercial banks and categorizing cannabis as a low-risk drug.”

Allow banking access for legal businesses

In addition to widespread support for legalization, more than two thirds of those polled in the three states said state-licensed marijuana businesses should have access to traditional banking services, which they are now denied under federal law. In Michigan, 67 percent were in favor compared with 70 percent in Pennsylvania and 71 percent in Wisconsin.

Dangerous drug classification lacking support

Few respondents believe marijuana should remain on the list of the most dangerous drugs along with heroin, LSD and Ecstasy. In Michigan, only 22 percent said marijuana should retain the designation. In Pennsylvania, 26 percent said the designation shouldn’t change. In Wisconsin, 21 percent favored keeping the category unchanged. Earlier this year the Biden administration announced a proposed rule change to reclassify marijuana, recognizing its medical benefits and placing it into a lower category of drugs.