|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
Canada: Quebecers In Favour Of The Legalization Of Cannabis
Le Journal de Montreal (CN QU)
Wednesday 23 May 2001 Website: http://www.journaldemontreal.com/ Author: Laurent Soumis QUEBECERS IN FAVOUR OF THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS Although still very divided on the way to achieve it, a small majority of Quebecers declare themselves favorable to the legalization of cannabis, reveals an exclusive Leger Marketing poll conducted this month for the Journal de Montreal. The results of the poll show that 50% of the people interviewed agree with the legalization of marijuana, while 44% are opposed. The supporters of legalization are found mainly amongst people who have already consumed cannabis (72% are favourable), young people of ages 18 to 24 (68%), people who have a higher than average income (59%) and men (54%) Yes, But... To this day, Quebecers are divided on the idea of allowing the sale of cannabis to adults in government licensed establishments. The results show that only 50% are for and 46% are against the idea. Here again, the support is mainly concentrated within groups which have used cannabis (71%) the young (65%) and men (58%). Finally, while Quebecers show a certain openess towards legalization, this tolerance diminishes when questioned on specific scenarios 55% of the people polled are opposed to allowing the possession of cannabis for personal use and 64% are against the idea of allowing growing for personal use. The study which was conducted about a week ago, also shows that one Quebecer out of three (35%) admits to have consumed cannabis even though it is illegal. Almost 2/3 (62%) of young people ages (18-24) admit to have "smoked". These 'law-breakers'are more numerous in higher revenue groups (45%), men (42%). Only 27% of women said they had experimented with the substance. POLL RESULTS: Have you ever used cannabis? 35% YES 64% NO Legalization of cannabis: 50% FOR 44% AGAINST Sale to adults in licensed establishments: 50% FOR 47% AGAINST Legalization will come ... 26% WITHIN THE NEXT 5 YEARS 41% WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS 26% NEVER Methodology: Leger Marketing conducted the poll by phone from May 9 to 13, 2001 interviewing 1007 adult Quebecers. It is accurate within 3.4%, 19 times out of 20. [sidebar] A REALITY WITHIN 10 YEARS? A large majority of Quebecers believe that the legalization of cannabis is only a question of time . "Within five or ten years" is what they've confided to the polling team at Leger Marketing. by Laurent Soumis Only 26 percent of the respondents believe it will never happen. On the other side, 41 percent believe legalization will come within 10 years and 26 percent believe that legalization of marijuana will happen within the next five years. Until that happens, 90 percent of Quebecers declare themselves favorable to a law which would permit the use of marijuana for medical use. 72 percent of the people interviewed conclude that the present laws actually favor the activities of organized crime. A Clear Distinction Over 2/3 (67%) of people polled hope that new legislation will make a clear distinction between cannabis (a 'soft' drug) and cocaine and heroin ('hard' drugs). However, even in spite of scientific studies to the contrary, 70% of the population still continue to believe that the consumption of cannabis can eventually lead to dependency. A small majority (51%) even believe that cannabis can lead to the use of harder drugs.
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!