Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jul 2014
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Page: A10
Copyright: 2014 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Mark Kennedy
Referenced: 2014 national justice survey:
http://mapinc.org/url/5DpzjD3O

CANADIANS BACK SOFTER MARIJUANA LAWS, POLL FINDS

More Than Half Don't Want Pot Marketed Like Booze,
Tobacco

More than two-thirds of Canadians want this country's marijuana laws
softened, according to an opinion poll conducted for the federal
government earlier this year.

And while a small majority of the public believes companies should not
be permitted to sell marijuana just as they sell alcohol and
cigarettes, it's clear that many Canadians have no problem with the
proposition.

The results of the national survey of 3,000 people, commissioned by
the Department of Justice, is bound to add fuel to the political
debate now intensifying in advance of the 2015 election. The Liberals
under Justin Trudeau are advocating the legalization of marijuana so
that its sale is regulated and pot is harder for youths to obtain.

The Conservatives say they won't take that step because they believe
it would lead to more kids smoking marijuana. Instead, the Harper
government is considering allowing police to lay fines against those
who are caught with small amounts of marijuana.

As both parties prepare for the political battle, the government hired
Ipsos-Reid to conduct focus groups and an extensive poll to gauge
Canadians' views on hot-button issues such as marijuana and
prostitution.

The results of the research were posted online by the government
Wednesday and provide an explanatory backdrop to its policy agenda.

"The government of Canada wanted a clear and current understanding of
the Canadian public opinion on a range of justice issues," said the
report.

"This research was conducted to provide insight into the views,
concerns and priorities of Canadians on criminal justice issues," it
continued.

The poll, conducted Jan. 30 to Feb. 7, found Canadians were relatively
divided about how the government should legislate on prostitution. In
early June, Justice Minister Peter MacKay introduced contentious
legislation to prohibit the purchase of sex from prostitutes.

It also bans sex workers from selling their services near schools,
playgrounds and daycare centres.

Critics say the bill is deeply flawed and will eventually be struck
down by the courts.

By comparison, the poll suggested Canadians are not happy with the
status quo on marijuana.

It found that many Canadians don't think legalization would increase
pot smoking in this country: 52.6 per cent believe marijuana use would
"stay about the same" if legalized, 38.4 per cent say it would
increase, and 6.3 per cent say it would decrease.

If marijuana is legalized in Canada, it is unclear how it would be
distributed and who would be allowed to sell it.

In the 14 different "focus groups" gathered by the pollster for
in-depth discussions on the issue involving 10 people, summaries of
sentiments - rather than numerical findings - were provided.

Most focus group participants supported either leaving the law alone
or imposing a fine on people with small amounts of marijuana so they
would not have a criminal record.

There was some support for legalization in focus groups held in
British Columbia, said the pollster, but outside the province, there
was "very little support."

[sidebar]

POLL HIGHLIGHTS

37.3 per cent of 3000 Canadians surveyed say marijuana should be
legalized;

33.4 per cent say possession of small amounts of marijuana should be
decriminalized with a fine rather than a criminal record;

13.7 per cent say the country's marijuana laws should stay the
same;

12 per cent said marijuana penalties should be increased;

55.6 per cent said "companies" should not be "allowed to produce and
promote the sale of marijuana just like tobacco and alcohol."

82.9 per cent of Canadians believe marijuana should be legally
available for doctors to prescribe to their patients - something that
is now allowed.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D