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Lorne Bozinoff, President
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416.960.9603
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two thirds support legalization or
decriminalization of pot
TORONTO
Nov 20th, 2012
Support highest in BC, Quebec
Toronto, November 20th, 2012 – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by
the Forum Poll™ among Canadians 18 years of age and older, two thirds (65%)
supported either legalization and taxation of marijuana (33%) or
decriminalization of small amounts (32%). This represents a slight decrease in
those in favour of legalization (from 40%) and increase in those in favour of
decriminalization (from 26%) since we polled this in December, 2011.
Just fewer than one fifth think laws should be left as they are (17%), while about
one seventh think penalties should be stiffer (15%). Opposition to looser
penalties is highest among Conservative Party supporters.
Support for the legalization and taxation of marijuana was highest among
Canadians under 35 years old, males, those with annual household incomes over
$100K and residents of Ontario and the Atlantic region. Quebeckers, Ontarians,
and especially British Columbians, were more likely to say that marijuana should
be decriminalized for small amounts.
"Legalization is a smart policy for the Liberal Party to adopt as it plays into their
natural strengths and against those of the government. It's an issue many
Canadians appear willing to rally around," said Forum Research President, Dr.
Lorne Bozinoff.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Two thirds (65%) supported
either legalization and
taxation of marijuana (33%)
or decriminalization of small
amounts (32%).
"Legalization is a smart policy
for the Liberal Party to adopt
as it plays into their natural
strengths and against those
of the government. It's an
issue many Canadians appear
willing to rally around," said
Forum Research President, Dr.
Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be
reached at [email protected] or at (416) 960-9603.
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MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Lorne Bozinoff, President
[email protected]
416.960.9603
Methodology
The Forum Poll™ was conducted by Forum Research with the results based on an
interactive voice response telephone survey of 1,849 randomly selected residents
of Canada aged 18 or older. The poll was conducted on November 19th, 2012.
TORONTO
Nov 20th, 2012
Results based on the total sample are considered accurate +/- 2 %, 19 times out
of 20. Subsample results will be less accurate. Margins of error for subsample
(such as age, gender) results are available at
www.forumresearch.com/samplestim.asp
Where appropriate, the data has been statistically weighted to ensure that the
sample reflects the actual population according to the latest Census data.
This research is not necessarily predictive of future outcomes, but rather,
captures opinion at one point in time. Forum Research conducted this poll as a
public service and to demonstrate our survey research capabilities.
With offices across Canada and around the world, 100% Canadian-owned Forum
Research is one of the country’s leading survey research firms. This Forum Poll™
and other polls may be found at Forum's poll archive at
www.forumresearch.com/polls.asp
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Lorne Bozinoff, President
[email protected]
416.960.9603
Marijuana Decriminalization / Legalization Opinion Trending
[All Respondents]
%
Sample
Should be
legalized and
taxed
th
1849
1160
33
40
Nov. 19 , 2012
th
Dec. 13 , 2011
3
TORONTO
Nov 20th, 2012
Should be
decriminalized
for small
amounts
The law
should be left
as it is
Penalties
should be
increased
Don’t Know
32
26
17
20
15
11
3
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Lorne Bozinoff, President
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416.960.9603
Marijuana Decriminalization / Legalization Opinion
‘How do you think the government should deal with marijuana: legalize and tax it,
decriminalize small amounts, leave the law as it is, or increase penalties?’
[All Respondents]
TORONTO
Nov 20th, 2012
Age / Gender
%
Total
18-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Male
Female
Sample
It should be legalized and
taxed
It should be
decriminalized for small
amounts
The law should be left as
it is
Penalties should be
increased
Don't know
1849
197
230
397
502
523
891
958
33
39
30
35
32
29
38
29
32
35
27
31
32
32
29
34
17
10
24
16
19
22
16
18
15
13
17
16
16
12
14
15
3
3
2
2
2
4
2
4
%
Total
Atl
Que
ON
Man/Sask
AB
BC
Sample
It should be legalized and
taxed
It should be
decriminalized for small
amounts
The law should be left as
it is
Penalties should be
increased
Don't know
1849
129
477
621
150
194
278
33
48
27
35
34
29
36
32
20
34
32
23
32
36
17
13
19
17
25
19
14
15
13
16
15
16
15
12
3
6
4
1
2
5
1
Region
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Household Income
217
$2040K
370
$4060K
286
$6080K
228
$80100K
174
33
39
31
34
31
34
41
32
28
33
34
33
35
28
17
15
19
18
16
17
18
15
13
15
12
19
13
12
3
4
2
2
1
1
2
%
Total
<$20K
Sample
It should be legalized and
taxed
It should be
decriminalized for small
amounts
The law should be left as
it is
Penalties should be
increased
Don't know
1849
$100K+
288
TORONTO
Nov 20th, 2012
Current Federal Party Preference
%
Total
Cons
Lib
NDP
Green
Bloc
Sample
It should be legalized and
taxed
It should be
decriminalized for small
amounts
The law should be left as
it is
Penalties should be
increased
Don't know
1849
557
489
459
108
97
Other
Parties
66
33
24
33
42
41
31
37
32
29
31
33
38
38
32
17
25
18
13
5
16
18
15
19
14
11
15
13
13
3
2
4
1
2
2
0
5
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[email protected]
416.960.9603
TORONTO
-30-
Nov 20th, 2012
For more information:
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D.
President
Forum Research Inc.
Tel: (416) 960-9603
Fax: (416) 960-9602
E-mail: [email protected]
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180 Bloor Street W., #1400
Toronto, ON M5S 2V6
T 416.960.9600
F 416.960.9602
forumresearch.com