Tennessee voters support dreamers, marijuana legalization says MTSU poll

A poll of registered Tennessee voters conducted by Middle Tennessee State University says the majority of voters in the state support some form of marijuana legalization and support immigrants in the country illegally, especially those brought to the country as children called “Dreamers”.

The scientifically valid poll of 600 registered Tennessee voters was conducted by MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment and the School of Journalism and Strategic Media.

The poll found that 55 percent of Tennessee voters say people who immigrated to or are currently living in the US illegally should be allowed to stay in the country and apply for citizenship. 33 percent say those immigrants should be required to leave. 

Support was even more pronounced when asked about immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The poll found 75 percent of voters say these immigrants should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship while 16 percent say they should be required to leave. 

“Immigration continues to be a nationally politicized issue for Tennessee voters,” said Dr. Ken Blake, director of the MTSU Poll. “But even among those who approve of President Trump, who has taken a hard line on the issue, most believe that those brought here as children should be allowed to stay.”

Though it splits heavily down party lines, the poll found 60 percent of Trump supporters say immigrants brought to the United States as children should be allowed to stay and apply for citizenship.

When asked about marijuana legalization, 81 percent say it should be legalized to some degree. 44 percent favored legality only for medical use, while 37 percent say it should be legal for personal use. 16 percent say it should remain entirely illegal. 

“If we assume that Tennessee voters who support legalization for personal use would also accept legalization for medicinal purposes only, there is a broad majority who support legalization in at least a limited form,” said Dr. Jason Reineke, associate director of the poll.

Click here for a link to the full study and results.