Majority in U.S. support medical pot, think it could fight opioid crisis

(HealthDay)—Americans strongly support medical marijuana, and a majority also believe that pot should be legal for recreational purposes, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll has found.

Nearly nine out of every 10 adults—85 percent—believe that marijuana should be legalized for medical use, the poll reports.

And more than half, 57 percent, support the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Many also believe there’s a role for medical marijuana in easing America’s ongoing opioid addiction crisis.

“Voters believe that ending America’s failed marijuana prohibition laws is a common sense issue, not a partisan one,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of the reform advocacy group NORML.

“It’s time for their elected officials to take a similar posture, and to move expeditiously to amend federal law in a manner that comports with public and scientific consensus, as well as with marijuana’s rapidly changing cultural and legal status,” Armentano added.

But the poll also found that people do not…

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