Department of Political Science
Dept. 3197, 1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-6484 • fax (307) 766-6771
www.uwyo.edu/pols

Public Opinion in Wyoming
This information on Wyoming residents’ opinions on marijuana use and legalization is from
the Wyoming Election Survey, a statewide telephone poll conducted biennially by the University of
Wyoming’s Survey Research Center under the sponsorship of the Department of Political Science,
the College of Arts and Sciences, and other UW offices.
The Wyoming Election Survey was started in 1972 by Dr. Oliver Walter, currently professor
emeritus of political science and dean emeritus of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Walter and
Dr. James D. King, professor of political science, served as co-directors of the survey in recent years.
Respondents are asked a number of questions regarding their views on public officials, candidates for
elective office, and selected public policy issues. Interviews are conduct by telephone, with numbers
for both landlines and cell phones included in the sampling frame. The random sample is drawn by
and the interviews are conducted by staff members of UW Survey Research Center. The survey’s
margin of error for the complete sample is plus or minus four percent; the margin of error for
subsamples are larger and dependent upon the number of respondents to a particular question.

Marijuana Use and Legalization
Public opinion in Wyoming on the use of marijuana use is mixed, with majorities
supporting marijuana use when prescribed by a physician (medical marijuana) but opposing a
general legalization of marijuana for personal use. There has been notable consistency in public
support of medical marijuana with just under three-fourths of survey respondents approving. At
the same time, there has been a modest increase in support of personal marijuana use with
approximately one third of survey respondents supporting general legalization.
Popular votes on ballot proposals have resulted in the legalization of personal marijuana
use in Colorado, Washington state, and elsewhere in recent years. However, given the level of
opposition to legalization of marijuana among Wyomingites, it appears that a similar movement
in Wyoming would be unsuccessful in the foreseeable future.

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 Question wording in 2014:
Do you support or oppose allowing adults in Wyoming to legally use marijuana for
medical purposes if their doctor prescribes it?
Do you support or oppose allowing adults in Wyoming to legally possess marijuana for
personal use?

Citizens’ responses to the question of legalizing marijuana for either personal use or
medical are linked to political ideology and age. In the 2014 Wyoming Election Survey, eight out
of 10 self-identified conservatives opposed marijuana for personal use by adults while two-thirds
of liberals approved; moderates split evenly on this issue. On medical use of marijuana when
prescribed by a physician, 61% of conservatives, 86% of moderates, and 91% of liberals supported
the policy.
Disapproval of legalization personal marijuana use by adults increases with age. Roughly
55% of individuals under 45 years of age oppose the policy with opposition reach 82% of those
over the age of 65 years. All age groups demonstrate support for medical marijuana use, although
support is lowest (66%) among senior citizens.
Although Wyoming residents do not support legalization of marijuana for personal use,
they accept reduced penalties for those apprehended in possession of marijuana. The 2014 survey
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 asked respondents: “If marijuana use is not legalized, do you think people convicted of possessing
small amounts of marijuana should serve time in jail, or not?” Approximately one third of
respondents (32%) supported the idea that serving time in jail should be a penalty for possession
of marijuana while nearly two thirds (62%) opposed jail sentences for possession of marijuana
convictions.

This summary prepared by:
Professor James D. King
Department of Political Science
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3197
Laramie, WY 82071
Telephone: 307-766-6239
E-mail: jking@uwyo.edu

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