June 20, 2025
Americans Overwhelmingly Support a States’ Rights Approach to Cannabis Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congress and the Trump Administration weigh action on federal cannabis reform, new polling from the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR) finds broad, bipartisan support for the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) 2.0 Act—legislation that would let states determine their own cannabis laws while keeping federal prohibition in place for states that opt out.
“This is not about expanding federal power—it’s about limiting it,” said Shanita Penny, Executive Director of CPEAR. “The STATES 2.0 Act respects the will of voters, reinforces states’ rights, and ensures law enforcement can focus on real public safety threats—not outdated cannabis laws. It’s time for Congress and the administration to act on a policy the American people clearly support.”
Instead of forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, the STATES 2.0 Act restores the rights of individual states to craft cannabis policies that work best for their residents. The bill does not legalize cannabis. It regulates it—by ensuring that where states have chosen to legalize cannabis, those laws are respected at the federal level.
Key polling takeaways include:
- Seven in ten voters support reforming federal cannabis law (70% support, 44% strongly support and just 22% oppose.) This is nearly identical to CPEAR’s 2022 poll (70% support vs. 23% oppose).
- There is also strong support for the STATES 2.0 Act (61% support vs. 27% oppose) and allowing states to decide (69% support vs. 22% oppose). All components of the STATES 2.0 Act test well, with voters placing the highest importance on preventing youth use, stopping impaired driving, and addressing crime.
- A near majority (48%) would be MORE likely to vote for a candidate who supports reforming federal cannabis law.
Leading conservative and Trump pollsters Fabrizio, Lee, & Associates found in a poll earlier this year that 72% of GOP voters support a states’ rights cannabis bill that lets states decide their own cannabis laws without federal interference. Last year, President Trump voiced his support for Florida’s adult-use cannabis ballot initiative, signaling growing momentum among conservative leaders for a states-first approach.
Today, more than 40 states have legalized cannabis in some form, either for medical or adult use. It’s time to bridge the gap between federal and state cannabis policy with commonsense guardrails that protect public health and safety.
This survey was conducted by Forbes Tate Partners on behalf of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR).