Louisianans are becoming more accepting of same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana for personal use, albeit more slowly than their peers around the country. According to the latest findings of the 2015 Louisiana Survey, released this morning, the lead gay marriage opponents hold over supporters—51% to 42%— has shrunk by nearly half over the past two years. The LSU Public Policy Research Lab, which annually conducts the survey, notes though support in the state for legally recognizing same-sex marriages continues to lag significantly behind national opinion.
Opinion on the legalization of marijuana for personal use follows the same pattern: Support for legalization continues to lag behind opposition—45% to 52%—but the gap has narrowed by half in two years.
“The trends are modest and unfolding fairly slowly but it appears Louisiana is headed toward greater acceptance on these social issues,” PPRL Research Director Michael Henderson says in a prepared statement. “Age is a factor here. Younger Louisiana adults support allowing same-sex couples to marry, support legalizing marijuana for personal use, and support legalizing marijuana for medical use.”
The survey shows that residents aged 18 to 29 are the only age group of residents in which a majority favor legal recognition for same-sex marriages, at 59%, and a majority favoring legalization of marijuana for personal use, at 68%.
The findings released today are the fifth and final installment of the 2015 Louisiana Survey, which PPRL conducts to track public opinion in the state and inform lawmakers about attitudes on pressing issues. Previously released findings of this year’s survey indicate that residents want to see the current state budget shortfall resolved through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases, though they oppose specific budget cuts to areas like higher education and health care. The survey has also showed that residents dislike the phrase “Common Core” far more than they oppose the concept of the educational standards.
Access the complete 2015 Louisiana Survey results.
—Stephanie Riegel
