A public opinion poll was recently released which found that more than 2/3 of Canadians surveyed want marijuana to be legal or decriminalized. This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who has been following the marijuana reform movement in Canada. From Forum Research Inc:
In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1189 Canadians 18 years of age and older, more than two thirds (69%) supported either decriminalization for small amounts of marijuana (34%) or outright legalization and taxation (36%), and this represents an increase since the last time we asked this (November, 2012 – 65% net). Just 1-in-7 want the law left as it is (15%), while even fewer want penalties increased (13%). Very few have no opinion on this measure (3%).
Support for decriminalization/legalization is highest among the youngest (75%) and the Boomers (55 to 64 – 72%), among the wealthier ($60K to $100K – 74%) and in BC (77%). Liberal supporters are more likely to be in the pro-pot camp (76%) than are New Democrats (72%) or especially Conservatives (61%). Interest in increasing penalties is highest among those in Generation X (35 to 54 – 16%), the least wealthy (less than $20K – 21%), in Alberta (22%) and among New Democrats (16%). Interestingly, Conservatives are not much more likely to favour increased penalties than all Canadians (15%). Groups which are least likely to support decriminalization/legalization include mid-age Canadians (35 to 44 -63%), the least wealthy (less than $20K – 57%), Bloc voters (56%), the least educated (57%), Protestant Christians (61%), those who describe their ethnicity as Canadian (64%) and Francophones (65%).
One fifth less likely to vote Liberal after Trudeau admission
One fifth of Canadians say they are less likely to vote Liberal because of Justin Trudeau’s admission about smoking marijuana as an MP (21%), while one seventh say it will make them more likely to vote for the Liberals (14%). Two
thirds say this will not affect their vote (63%). Those who say they are less likely to vote Liberal are the oldest (65+ – 30%), the wealthier ($40K to $60K – 25%, $80K to $100K – 24%), prairie dwellers (24%) and Albertans (31%). Of course, Conservatives are most likely to say they will be less likely to vote Liberal (47%), while Liberals and New Democrats are less likely to say this (7% and 14%, respectively). Those who support full legalization say this will make them more likely to vote Liberal (22%).
“Justin Trudeau is ahead of the zeitgeist on this issue, and the government’s disapproval of his position is a strength he can play to in the coming months. Decriminalization or legalization has majority support right across the country, even among Conservative voters, and there appears to be little downside to this issue for him,” said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
