Support for Decriminalization of Marijuana in Small Amounts
Holding Steady at Two in Three (65%) Canadians
The Prime Minister has recently stated that "Canadians do not want the full legalization of marijuana". But Ipsos polling over the last nearly three decades has focused on decriminalization, and on this topic the data are clear: support is considerably higher than it was decades ago, but has levelled off in recent years at a strong two-thirds. In 2004, 51% of Canadians supported decriminalization, compared to 55% in 2003, and 51% in 1997. All of these show a great deal more support than in 1987, when Ipsos Reid pegged support for the decriminalization of marijuana at just 39%.
While Trudeau and the Liberals might have the majority's support in the issue, it's likely that the electorate would rather hear about other more pressing issues and policies. However, there is no denying that a majority of Canadians in every demographic group studied support the decriminalization of marijuana:
- British Columbians (74%) are most likely to support the decriminalization of marijuana, followed by those living in Atlantic Canada (71%), Alberta (67%), Ontario (65%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (63%) and Quebec (60%).
- Those with kids in the household are equally as likely (67%) as those without (65%) to support its decriminalization.
- Men (72%) are considerably more likely than women (59%) to support its decriminalization, although a majority of both groups do support it.
- Those aged 18-34 are most supportive of its decriminalization (70%), however those aged 35 to 54 (64%) and 55+ (63%) aren't far behind.
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between August 13 and 17, 2015 on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,000 Canadians aged 18 and older from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/ - 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadian adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Vice President
Ipsos Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]
About Ipsos in Canada
Ipsos is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos' marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.
To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks third in the global research industry.
With offices in 86 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,669.5 ($2,218.4 million) in 2014.
Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos' offerings and capabilities.
