Most support legalizing pot in California

The University of California, Berkley and the Field Poll, a California polling firm, released results Friday on how 10 ballot measures are faring before Election Day.

One of the top findings was that 57 percent of likely voters surveyed approve of a measure that would legalize marijuana for recreational use and impose taxes on sales and cultivation, another 40 percent oppose it and 3 percent are undecided. If approved, California would become the fifth state to legalize the drug, which is still illegal under federal law. Medicinal marijuana already is legal in the state.

The measure is expected to generate more than $1 billion a year annually from taxes and regulations if it passes.

The race to repeal the death penalty in California and replace it with life in prison without the possibility of parole is closer. The poll finds that 51 percent support it while 45 percent do not and 4 percent undecided.

In addition, about 48 percent are in favor of changes to how challenges of death sentences are handled, while 42 percent are opposed.

The closest contest centers around a provision to tackle high drug prices. The measure would prohibit state healthcare programs from buying any drug that isn’t offered at the same price paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which gets a lower price on products for VA hospitals.

The measure is tied at 47-47 percent, according to the poll, with 6 percent undecided. The pharmaceutical industry has devoted tens of millions of dollars to fight the measure.

There is clear support for a new measure that would require a background check and Department of Justice authorization to buy ammunition. It also would prohibit large-capacity ammunition magazines.

About 58 percent are in support of the gun control measure and 38 percent are opposed.

The poll was conducted online by the polling firm YouGov among a sample of 1,498 likely voters between Oct. 25 and Oct. 31.