Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jul 2015
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Langley Times
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Jeff Nagel
Referenced: Insights West: http://mapinc.org/url/YfaTkJNz

B.C. APPETITE FOR POT REFORM RIDING HIGH: POLL

Two-thirds of British Columbians surveyed endorse marijuana legalization

B.C. has a strong appetite for marijuana reform with more than 70 per 
cent of respondents to a new poll urging either legalization or 
decriminalization.

The Insights West survey found 67 per cent said they support outright 
legalization, 28 per cent opposed it and five per cent were undecided.

Support was slightly stronger among women, the under-35 age group and 
Vancouver Island residents, but at least 65 per cent back 
legalization in every region and within each age group.

"There's a lot of support for this," said Insights West 
vice-president Mario Canseco.

He said the results are a climb from about 55 per cent support in 
B.C. a decade ago, and follows legalization moves in U.S. states and 
a growing number of B.C. public figures endorsing reform over the years.

A separate question asked respondents which pot reform option most 
closely fit their views.

Legalization was on top with 38 per cent, while 24 per cent said it 
should be decriminalized, 27 per cent said it should only be 
available for medical purposes, and seven per cent want it to always 
be illegal.

Asked about the pros and cons of legalization, 87 per cent said 
taxing pot would generate useful revenues and more than 
three-quarters said cannabis has legitimate medical and health 
benefits, existing dispensaries are a safer method of access than 
drug dealers, and that legalization would let police focus on other 
priorities. Sixty-seven per cent believed gang violence tied to the 
illegal drug trade would decline.

Presented with a list of arguments against legalization, the top 
concern cited by 58 per cent was that it would result in more 
drug-impaired driving.

Relatively few (35 per cent or less) agreed with concerns expressed 
by federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose - that legalization would 
increase risks of mental illness such as schizophrenia in some users 
and lead to greater use among children and teens.

More than two-thirds of those polled endorsed the City of Vancouver 
decision to regulate existing medical marijuana dispensaries that 
sell pot illegally there rather than shut them down as Ambrose urged.

Canseco said the tough talk from Ambrose in recent weeks is likely 
aimed at buffing the Tories tough-on-crime reputation to hang onto 
Conservative votes elsewhere in Canada leading up to this fall's 
federal election.

"I don't think she was appealing to the B.C. voters," he said. "I 
think she was appealing to the hard core Conservative base in other 
parts of the country that don't want to see this legalized."

Health Canada last week announced it will now let approved commercial 
producers of medical marijuana make and sell cannabis oil - in 
addition to dried bud - but not other edible products such as pot 
brownies and cookies.

That move followed a Supreme Court of Canada ruling in June that it 
is unconstitutional for the government to limit access to medical 
marijuana to just the dried form.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom