POLL: Arizona's Marijuana Legalization at 5 Years — Voters Overwhelmingly Say It Was the Right Call

Arizona's Marijuana Legalization at 5 Years — Voters Say It Was the Right Call

68% Endorse Prop 207 Retrospectively; Up from 60% Who Voted for It in 2020

PHOENIX (November 27th, 2025) – Five years after Arizona voters approved Proposition 207 to legalize recreational marijuana, 68% of registered voters say it was the right decision for the state — an 8-point increase from the 60% who originally voted for the measure, according to a new AZPOP survey from OH Predictive Insights. Only 23% say it was the wrong decision, down from the 40% who voted against legalization in 2020.

The 8-point increase in retrospective support over the original vote reflects the "normalization effect" consistently observed in states after marijuana legalization: once the predicted negative consequences fail to materialize and the economic and social benefits become visible, public support tends to increase. Arizona has experienced this pattern across every AZPOP wave since legalization.

The most significant shifts in retrospective support come from two demographic groups: Republican voters (now 48% say it was the right decision, up from 38% in 2022) and voters over 65 (now 55% say it was the right decision, up from 41% in 2022). The increase in senior support largely tracks with firsthand observation — many seniors have tried cannabis products for pain management or sleep and formed more positive views as a result.

"Every state that has legalized marijuana has seen this pattern," says OHPI Chief of Research Mike Noble. "The opposition was largely based on fear of what might happen. When the feared outcomes didn't materialize, and people saw tax revenue, new businesses, and people using the product responsibly, minds changed."

Voters cite several key positive outcomes from legalization. Tax revenue generation (mentioned positively by 71%), reduced arrests and incarceration for marijuana-related offenses (68%), creation of new businesses and jobs (65%), and reduced illicit market activity (58%) top the list of perceived benefits.

Concerns remain in several areas: youth access is the most cited persistent worry (66% of all voters, including 78% of legalization supporters, say strict age enforcement should be a priority); potency of commercial products is a concern for 54%; and 47% believe more of the tax revenue should be directed toward education and treatment programs.

Arizona's cannabis industry has generated more than $800 million in tax revenue since January 2021, employing approximately 23,000 workers statewide. The economic footprint has grown steadily and is now comparable to the state's craft brewing industry.

Methodology: AZPOP conducted November 22–24, 2025. n=600 Arizona Registered Voters. ±4.0% MOE.