SHU Poll Shows Support for Legalized Recreational Marijuana, Lauds State’s COVID-19 Response and Communication

Connecticut residents address COVID-19 impact on homeless populations

A new poll by Sacred Heart University’s Institute for Public Policy shows that the majority of Connecticut residents are optimistic about quality of life in the state.

The poll of 1,000 Connecticut residents, completed April 20-26, also asked about the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine distribution to homeless populations; the virus’s impact on businesses; Gov. Ned Lamont’s overall performance; legalization of recreational marijuana; public health insurance options; and state-funded pensions. Responses were compared to similar inquiries posed to respondents in early March.

Reflecting signs of an upturn in public optimism regarding the pandemic, quality-of-life metrics remained strong. Additionally, the state earned high marks for its handling of the COVID-19 crisis, with many residents still supporting pandemic-related communication and actions.

In April, 73% of surveyed Connecticut residents reported their quality of life as being either excellent (18.7%) or good (54.3%), which marked an increase from the 71.2% who reported the same a month earlier. Also in April, 73% of those surveyed reported their quality of life in the state as improving (17.8%), down slightly from 18.2% in March.

Fewer Connecticut residents surveyed in April approved of how Lamont is handling his job as governor (55.7%, down from 57.3% in March). That reflected 35.3% approval among Republicans (12.9% unsure); 43.4% approval among unaffiliated voters (23.2% unsure); 53.8% approval among independent voters (23.8% unsure); and 81.3% approval among Democrats (10.1% unsure).

The majority of respondents said they approve of the way Lamont is handling communication to the public (71% vs. 73.2% in March) and his overall response and handling of the pandemic (69% vs. 70.1% in March).

In related pandemic findings:

• 7% approve of the way Lamont is addressing a plan for Connecticut residents and families (from 59.3% in March).
• 5% approve of the way Lamont is addressing a plan for businesses in the state (from 52.7% in March).
• Nearly half of surveyed Connecticut residents (49.3%) indicated they would support executive orders to prevent housing evictions (down from 53.7% in March).
• 5% of respondents are aware of programs available to Connecticut businesses that provide funding as a result of the pandemic (compared to 46.6% in March).

Vaccines for the homeless

Regarding COVID-19-related care for the state’s homeless populations, more than two-fifths of surveyed Connecticut residents (42.7%) do not believe the homeless population should be prioritized for the vaccine (up from 40.8% in March).

• 56% indicated that when considering who among the homeless population should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, both age and risk factors (medical conditions) should be prioritized (down from 59.1% in March).
• When respondents were asked about actions to keep the homeless population safe from the virus, 31.4% supported a protocol to provide immediate access to vaccines (vs. 29.6% in March); 24.9% favored protocols to distribute government-provided personal protection equipment (vs. 23.4% the previous month) and 12.9% were behind COVID education through facilities like shelters and food pantries (down from 14.4%).

Additionally, regarding vaccination choice, 43.6% of surveyed residents would either strongly support (23.9%) or somewhat support (19.7%) the ability for individuals to choose not to receive a vaccine based on their religious beliefs (consistent with 43.7% in March).

Legalization of recreational marijuana

More than three-fifths of Connecticut residents surveyed in April (63.9% vs. 65.7% in March) support the legalization of recreational marijuana in-state for use and possession by adults age 21 and older. However, they continue to express concerns about the impact on drivers: 47.8% of respondents think the legalization of marijuana would result in a significant increase in the number of individuals driving vehicles under the influence.

The majority of Connecticut residents surveyed in April, 76.3%, reported they believe marijuana has either fewer effects (41.2%) or the same amount (35.1%) as alcohol (vs. 77% in March). Additionally, 70.1% of respondents believe marijuana has fewer effects on people than other drugs, such as heroin, amphetamines and prescription pain medications (from 72.3% in March).

If marijuana were legalized, 61.6% of surveyed residents would support the erasure of criminal records for those previously convicted of recreational offenses/possession (consistent with 62.3% in March).

Health insurance, pension support and capital gains taxes

When survey respondents were prompted to describe their level of health insurance and coverage benefits relative to the pandemic, many residents described significant pre- and post-pandemic coverage through various private and public options.

Additionally, when asked how strongly they support or oppose an increase in the amount of government-sponsored health-care options, 63.6% indicated they support the initiative (vs. 66.8% in March).

Responses to other issues

In other findings of significance:

• 9% of surveyed Connecticut residents indicated they were aware of the potential impacts of eliminating state-funded retirement (vs. 45.4% in March).
• 7% of respondents believe Connecticut state pensions should be reformed (compared to 53.3% in March).
• 2% of respondents support the elimination of income and capital gains taxes to prevent tax-free pensions, rather than “paying in” to help stabilize the budget (vs. 42.4% in March).

"As life and COVID-19-related policies during the pandemic change so quickly, we conducted this poll about a month after our previous survey in March to update how residents were feeling about COVID-19 communication, the governor’s performance and other items of general interest,” explained Lesley DeNardis, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy and director of Sacred Heart University’s master of public administration (MPA) program. “Residents also weighed in on the continuing debate about legalizing recreational marijuana and demonstrated empathy for the homeless, tenants and business owners as ‘pandemic fatigue’ continues to plague the state.”

She also noted, “We’re witnessing a small decline in the governor’s ratings, but an uptick in how residents are rating their overall quality of life, which is a positive indicator.”

Polling was conducted on behalf of the SHU Institute for Public Policy, in partnership with GreatBlue Research, which administered the 45-question, Connecticut-specific telephone and digital survey. Statistically, this sampling represents a margin for error of +/-3.02 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

Sacred Heart’s Institute for Public Policy, which was established in 2017 in the College of Arts and Sciences, is aligned with the University’s master of public administration program. In addition to hosting state-wide polls, the institute conducts public policy research, hosts public forums and workshops and serves as a public-policy learning incubator for students.

A PDF file of complete polling results is available at www.sacredheart.edu/pollresults.