More than half agree that marijuana should be legal

5-in-10 think amnesty should be granted to those charged with marijuana offences

Toronto, April 26th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ amongst 1479 Canadian voters, more than half (53%) say that they agree that marijuana should be legal in Canada. (38%) disagree, fewer than 1-in-10 report they do not know (9%).

Respondents most likely to say that marijuana should be legal include those aged 34 and younger (64%), males (57%), earning $80,000-$100,000 (58%) and the most wealthy (60%), living in BC (65%), and supporting the Green Party (68%). Those with some college or university (54%), or a college/university (55%) or post-graduate degree (54%) are also likely to agree that marijuana should be legal in Canada.

Respondents most likely to say that marijuana should not be legal include those aged 65 and over (48%), earning $20,000-$40,000 (41%) or $60,000-$80,000 (41%), living in Alberta (48%), and supporting the Conservatives (56%). The least educated (43%) are also most likely to disagree that marijuana should be legal in Canada.

Half think the government should protect those charged with marijuana-related offences if they wouldn’t be illegal following its legalization

(50%) say that the government should protect those charged with marijuana-related offences from prosecution if their offences would not be illegal after marijuana is legalized. (33%) said the government should not protect individuals in those situations, with (17%) saying they do not know.

Respondents most likely to suggest the Federal Government should protect these individuals include those aged 34 and younger (58%), earning $80,000-$100,000 (63%), living in BC (58%), and supporting the NDP (61%). Those with some college or university (52%), or a college/university (51%) or post-graduate degree (50%) are also likely to say that the government should protect these individuals.

Respondents most likely to suggest the Federal government should not protect these individuals include those aged 45-54 (38%), earning $60,000-$80,000 (42%), living in Alberta (40%), and supporting the Conservatives (45%).

It is worth noting that Conservative voters are divided on the issue of Amnesty. While (45%) are opposed to protection for these individuals, (44%) are in favour of it.

"Marijuana legalization is coming, and the majority agrees with it. What’s more interesting is that half of voters would see those charged with marijuana offences protected from prosecution if their crimes wouldn’t be crimes after it’s legalized,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.