In fact, just four Republican senators are from an age bracket (under age 50) where a majority of Republican respondents in the Pew poll were for recreational marijuana legalization. Additionally, Republican lawmakers are likely hearing disproportionately more from the types of Republican voters (politically engaged) who are opposed to marijuana legalization than for it. The public at large isn't likely to punish Republicans for opposing the decriminalization of marijuana. Most people don't smoke marijuana , and the group who is disproportionately arrested compared with its marijuana usage is Black Americans. And with a 50-50 Senate, marijuana decriminalization likely isn't going anywhere without Republicans on board.

Source: CNN July 17, 2021 18:00 UTC