State fair poll: Medical marijuana draws support, but not dual-rod fishing

Photo: Ryan Bushby, Wikimedia Commons

The vast majority of Minnesotans — or at least those who participate in polls while attending the Minnesota State Fair — believe medical marijuana should be legalized. Nearly 70 percent of those surveyed at the Great Minnesota Get-Together indicated support for allowing people with critical illnesses to smoke pot, while just 23 percent expressed disapproval.

Respondents were much more evenly divided on how the state should deal with future deficits. Budget cuts were supported by 48 percent of those surveyed, while 44 percent expressed support for tax hikes. But Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s unprecedented use of unallotment to help close a $4.8 billion deficit during the current biennium apparently didn’t go down too well with fair-goers. Almost half indicated that the governor should not have the power to unilaterally make cuts to the budget, while 40 percent indicated support for such executive authority.

The poll (pdf), while not scientifically valid, drew 8,746 respondents. It was conducted by the nonpartisan House Public Information Services.

Among the other findings: nearly two thirds of those surveyed believe voters should have a say in whether the Minnesota Vikings receive taxpayer funds for a new stadium, while 57 percent support allowing people to cast ballots as early as two weeks prior to election day. And, oh yes: a narrow majority (51 percent) are opposed to allowing Minnesotans to fish with two rods simultaneously.