New poll finds two-thirds of Canadians support decriminalization or legalization of marijuana
A new poll conducted by Forum Research indicates that over two-thirds of Canadians support the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana.
The poll, which surveyed 1,189 people across Canada, found that 69 percent of respondents want marijuana legalized and taxed or want to see the possession of small amounts decriminalized.
Unsurprisingly, British Columbians are the most in favour of such measures, with 46 percent favouring full legalization and 30 percent supporting decriminalization.
Federal Liberals supporters were the most in favour of legalization/decriminalization (76 percent), while 72 percent of New Democrats and 61 percent of Conservatives also supported pro-pot measures.
The survey also asked respondents whether Justin Trudeau's recent admission that he had smoked pot while an MP would affect their vote; only 21 percent of Canadians said they would be less likely to vote for the Liberals in light of his toking. Fourteen percent of respondents said it would make them more likely to vote Liberal in the next election, while 63 percent said the admission would have no effect on their vote.
On September 9, Sensible B.C. will begin collecting signatures in support of a referendum to decriminalize marijuana possession in this province.
Comments
4 Comments
Jorge
Aug 27, 2013 at 8:18pm
End the war on marijuana (on people, actually).
johnny_fever
Aug 28, 2013 at 12:59pm
I hope my fellow citizens are clear regarding the difference between decriminalization and legalization.
Legalization = lawful possession and small scale personal production for personal supply.
Decriminalization = legal to possess or fines for possession (but no criminal record) with no legal pathway to purchase.
Decriminalization = the cannabis you are forced to purchase from criminals in the black market (H.A., various Asian gangs, etc.) is legal to possess. The financial benefactor of your purchase is a criminal (according to law).
Big, big difference between the two. One eliminates criminal financial motive while the other encourages it.
Terry
Aug 28, 2013 at 2:09pm
It's all so silly. Really. Anybody over 60 is against legalization while the majority under 60 support legalization. I guess we wait till the over 60 bunch fades away.
Luca
Jan 13, 2014 at 9:17am
Everyone should read John Fever's post. Decriminalization is the dumbest idea ever and people only support it out of fear that legalization wouldn't gain enough support.
What they don't don't understand is that under decriminalization people are forced to buy a drug they are legally allowed to possess from CRIMINALS.
The only people who should be supporting decriminalization are people who benefit from illegal drug trafficking. IE, police, prison workers, and drug gangs and traffickers.
Legalization is obviously the way to go, where we eliminate drug gangs and traffickers, free up the court systems and allow people to possess a drug that people possess regardless of the law and that is massively supported.