Majority for Marijuana Legalization in New California Field Poll

A new Field Poll released Tuesday has 55% support for generic marijuana legalization and 56% support for the California Cannabis Hemp Initiative of 2014 (CCHI).

It's only the latest to show California majorities for legalization. A September Public Policy Institute of California poll showing 60% of registered voters favoring legalization and an October Tulchin poll that had support for legalization at 65% among likely voters.

The CCHI isn't the only initiative out there. Two more are at the state attorney general's office awaiting approval to begin signature-gathering, including one filed last week by the Drug Policy Alliance, the Control, Regulate, and Tax Marijuana Act.

The question now is whether these most recent poll results are likely to persuade enough major players that California should be contested next year instead of waiting for 2016. There are big logistical and financial obstacles to getting an initiative on the ballot for next year at this late date.

Look for more on the Field Poll results in a Chronicle news brief later today.