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Canada: British Columbians Ponder Legalizing Pot

Angus Reid Global Monitor

Monday 04 May 2009

Two-thirds of adults in British Columbia believe legalizing cannabis would be a good way to evade gang violence, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies released by CTV. 65 per cent of respondents in the Canadian province agree with this rationale, while 35 per cent would favour increasing penalties for marijuana trafficking.

Respondents are almost equally divided on the issue of enforcement, with 51 per cent saying that enforcing laws related to the possession of so-called "soft drugs." would make criminals out of law-abiding citizens who may not be harming anyone, and 49 per cent claiming that not enforcing these laws lets criminals go free which may lead to violence.

In July 2002, Canada became the first nation in the world to regulate the consumption of cannabis for medical reasons. In the 2004 federal election, the Marijuana party—which seeks the outright legalization of the substance—received 0.3 per cent of the popular vote.

In November 2004, the Canadian federal government—headed at the time by Liberal prime minister Paul Martin—re-introduced a controversial bill that sought "alternate penalty frameworks" for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The bill, which would have allowed any person caught with 15 grams of the drug or less to face fines instead of criminal charges, was never put to a vote in the House of Commons.

Earlier this month, British Columbia premier and BC Liberals leader Gordon Campbell said he is against the decriminalization of marijuana use, adding, "We need to listen to police on how to deal with this." BC New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Carole James declared: "It’s a federal issue as we all know. It’s not something individual provinces can take a look at."

The British Columbia provincial election is scheduled for May 12.

Polling Data

The illegal marijuana industry is linked to much of the gang violence on BC’s streets. Some people say that violence would be reduced if marijuana was legalized, while other people say the violence would be reduced if penalties for marijuana trafficking were significantly increased. Which of the following statements is closest to your own view?

Legalize marijuana
65%

Increase penalties for marijuana trafficking
35%

Many of Canada’s drug laws are not enforced when it comes to possession of so-called "soft drugs." Some people say that enforcing these laws would make criminals out of law-abiding citizens who may not be harming anyone; while other people say that not enforcing these laws lets criminals go free which may lead to violence. Which of the following statements is closest to your own view?

Lack of enforcement lets criminals go free
51%

Enforcement makes criminals out of law-abiding citizens
49%

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/33363/british_columbians_ponder_legalizing_pot

 

 

 

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