Pubdate: Thu, 22 May 2003
Source: Monday Magazine (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Monday Publications
Contact:  http://mondaymag.com/monday/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1150
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

SEND US YOUR DOPE SMOKERS

Ipsos-Reid kicked off the long weekend by releasing the results of public 
opinion polls on marijuana use. While 55 percent of Canadians surveyed told 
the pollsters they thought smoking weed shouldn't be a criminal offence, 
the number was (surprise, surprise) higher in B.C., where 59 percent said 
the same thing. Only Quebec was higher, at 63 percent. Interestingly, women 
were evenly split on the same question, while 61 percent of men were for 
decriminalization and 36 percent were opposed.

In another huge surprise, young Canadians were more supportive than their 
sober elders of the plan to issue tickets and fines to people caught with 
less than 15 grams of pot. A full 71 percent of respondents between ages 18 
and 34 supported that change, recently proposed by the federal government. 
But only 55 percent of people over 55 years old were in favour of the 
fines. Does that mean they'd prefer stiffer penalties, or more lenient 
ones? Guess it depends on whether or not they inhaled.
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MAP posted-by: Jackl