Voter turnout may tip the scales on Oregon’s legal pot measure

Editor’s Note: In the last few years, a growing number of states have passed some form of marijuana legalization. Now, voters in Oregon will decide whether to legalized the growing, possession and sale of the substance under state regulation with a measure on the state ballot in November. As OPB’s Kristian Voden-Fencil explains, a recent poll by OPB and Fox 12 suggests the measure is likely to win.

Oregon’s marijuana legalization measure looks as if it might pass, according to a new poll by OPB and Fox 12.

Measure 91 allows adults in Oregon to grow, possess and sell marijuana under state regulation. Fifty-two percent of likely voters said they’d vote for the idea. Forty-one percent said they’d vote against it.

Debra Klaviter lives in The Dalles, a city in the north of the state, and has run a Farmers Insurance Agency for 25 years. She says she’ll be voting for the marijuana legalization measure because she says it should be an option for people in pain.

“I’ve seen people that have started to take care of their own health care, their own pain management, and how the system works for them. Oh my gracious, there’s no question that it should be legalized,” Klaviter said.

Some who oppose the measure say it would allow people to possess too much pot at one time, and in forms that might appeal to children.

The poll has a margin of error of 4.3 percent. About seven percent of respondents haven’t decided how they’ll vote on Measure 91. That means the measure’s passage is still up for grabs.

Pollster John Horvick of Portland-based DHM research says turn-out will be key.

“For example, 18 to 34 year-olds, 70 percent plan to vote for Measure 91 for legalization. Sixty-eight percent of independents plan to. Now those are all groups who are the least likely to show-up come election day. So if the marijuana campaign is able to get those voters out, it looks like it could pass, it’ll be close, a squeaker.”

But if those voters don’t send in their ballots, he says the measure could fail.

A different measure to legalize pot failed two years ago, 48 percent to 52.

The poll was conducted last week and sampled more than 500 likely voters.

The state is scheduled to start sending out ballots for the election Wednesday.