68% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, according to a new poll by Gallup. In 1969 when Gallup first started asking Americans about their views of legalizing the substance just 12% were in favor. By 2000 it had reached 31%. Six in ten have been in favor since 2016.

Using data from the last 5 years, allowed for a more robust analysis in demographic differences in opinion. Conservative, religious and older Americans are least supporting while liberal, nonreligious and younger Americans are most supportive.

Those with no religious preference (89%), self-identifying liberals (84%), young adults (79%), and those who seldom or never attend religious services (78%) support the legalization movement exceeding ten or more points above the national average.

Those whose support is 10 points below the national average include those who attend weekly church services (46%), conservatives (49%), Republicans(51%), older adults (53%) and Hispanic adults (56%).

Support for legalization has grown in every group over the last two decades but support appears to be leveling off, with no growth in the last three years. However, younger conservatives and younger moderates tend to think marijuana should be legal more than their older counterparts. So, support for legalization can be expected to grow in future decades as these younger generations replaces the older ones.