American voters across the political spectrum are broadly supportive of keeping consumable hemp products legal and implementing certain regulations to ensure public safety and prevent youth access, according to a new poll.
The survey from McLaughlin & Associates, which was commissioned by the Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA), comes amid increased debate in Congress and state legislatures around the country about how to navigate laws around consumable hemp products, which were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed in his first term.
Overall, 72 percent of respondents said they want to see hemp maintain its legal status under federal law, along with “new safety and licensing regulations.” Notably, Republicans were most supportive at 77 percent, compared to Democrats (71 percent) and independents (68 percent).
The question posed to voters didn’t simply ask about keeping hemp legal, however, so it’s unclear what percentage back the status quo or are swayed by the possible addition of new regulations. It asked: “Would you support or oppose a federal law continuing to allow the sale and possession of consumable hemp-based products with new safety and licensing regulations to protect children and adult consumers, including age restrictions for adult use only, school free zones, and increased transparency like clear health and warning labels.”
Given that those are generally popular regulatory policies, it’s less surprising that such strong bipartisan majorities would voice support for a legal framework for the cannabis crop.
Asked about the specific regulatory proposals individually, 87 percent said they want child-proof packaging, 86 percent want to limit sales to adults 21 and older, 81 percent said there should be marketing restrictions to prevent appealing to youth and 71 percent said hemp products shouldn’t contain any “unnatural psychoactive substances.
The survey “illustrates big support to pass federal legislation to continue to allow the sale and possession of consumable hemp-based products with new, commonsense safety regulations,” a polling memo says.
Further, the poll found that 55 percent of respondents would be more likely to support a political candidate who voted in favor of maintaining the legal status of hemp with enhanced regulations. That includes 62 percent of Republicans, 53 percent of Democrats and 48 percent of independents.
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