Nearly 20 years after Hawaii legalized medical marijuana, a slim majority of local residents support full legalization for recreational use of the federally illegal drug.

Just over half — 54 percent — support legalization, while 40 percent oppose it and 6 percent are undecided, according to the latest Hawaii Poll by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

“I don’t have a problem. I don’t actually use it, but I don’t see why it can’t be decriminalized,” said Hilo resident Jeff Klatte, 50, who was part of the poll. “It’s no more harmful than alcohol. There’s lots of people who get in legal trouble for it, so it’s probably best if they just make it legal. If they do legalize it, I imagine the state would use it to make money. I’m sure they’re going to tax it pretty highly.”

Neighbor island residents are the strongest advocates at 60 percent, compared with 51 percent on Oahu. The most support comes from those under age 50, at 71 percent. Only 40 percent of those 50 and older approve recreational use.

Caucasians are largely against legalization at 60 percent in opposition, while roughly 60 percent of Japanese, Hawaiian, Filipino and those of mixed ancestry support recreational pot.

“I definitely do not support that because I’m against drugs, and I’ve seen the effects they have on people,” said Laie resident Molly Curtis. “If medically that’s helpful that’s great. That’s where it should be used, in a supervised environment. If people take it and then they get on the road, not only are they not safe for themselves, but for anyone else driving. Check the history of other states that have legalized it and a majority of the increases in traffic violations and in ER visits are directly correlated now to marijuana use. It’s not a good thing for our communities.”

Mary Ann Bender, 85, who lives in Kapaa on Kauai, said she supports medical use but not recreational because it could put the community at risk.

“From what I’ve read and heard, people driving that are smoking, their abilities are not (all there),” she said. “I would be frightened to come across drivers.”

Hawaii legalized medical marijuana in 2000, but patients had no legal way to obtain the drug until the state’s first dispensary opened in August. The industry is slowly gaining traction with five dispensaries currently operating on Oahu and Maui.

Three other dispensaries are expected to begin sales on Kauai and Hawaii island by the summer, according to the state Health Department, which issues roughly 1,500 medical marijuana cards each month. There were 20,518 cardholders as of Feb. 28.

State and federal laws are in conflict since pakalolo is considered among the most dangerous drugs, along with heroin, with “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Nine states, including California and Nevada, have legalized recreational marijuana.

But President Donald Trump’s administration is cracking down on cannabis by rescinding a policy that kept federal authorities from prosecuting people for legal pot sales.

The survey conducted for the Honolulu Star- Advertiser by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, based in Washington, D.C., contacted 800 Hawaii registered voters March 13-18. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

The Hawaii Poll – March 2018: Marijuana by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd