Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jul 2015
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Vancouver 24 hrs.
Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Stefania Seccia
Page: 4
Referenced: Insights West: British Columbians Support the 
Legalization of Marijuana: http://mapinc.org/url/YfaTkJNz

B.C. RESIDENTS WANT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA: POLL

While the majority of British Columbians in a new poll believe 
legalized marijuana would lead to benefits for all, more than half 
fear it could lead to more impaired driving and mental illness, 
according to Insights West.

Two-thirds of those polled (67%) said they support legalizing 
marijuana in Canada-including 72% of those aged 18-to-34 and 77% of 
Vancouver Island residents, according to Mario Canseco, Insights West 
spokesman.

"The first time I asked about legalization about six or seven years 
ago, it was roughly 50/50," he said. "I think one of the reasons for 
the jump, with now two-thirds supporting legalization, has to do with 
the situation in Washington."

Only 7% of those polled said marijuana should remain illegal- 
including 15% of B.C. Conservative voters in the 2013 election.

"What's interesting about this is even people who are outside the 
city believe this is the right course of action who are not entirely 
satisfied with the legal limbo we live in," he said.

About 87% believe taxing marijuana would also generate revenues that 
could be used to benefit everyone, and 78% said dispensaries are a 
safer way to go for selling it.

As far as ages ranged, the 18-to-34 category were 72% in favour; 
while those aged 35 and up were about 66 % in favour.

"It's quite interesting," he said. "But in a way our over 55 shave 
grown up surrounded by this, the Wood stock generation.

"If we had this question 30 years ago to those over 55s-one of the 
reasons for changes now is people are so concerned with expenditures, 
the idea of a recession coming along-so why not have this opportunity 
to tax and regulate a substance most Canadians enjoy."

However, more than half are concerned that legalizing marijuana would 
lead to more impaired driving, more widespread use, and an increase 
in mental illness.

About 35% believe marijuana dispensaries should be shut down 
completely - but 67% agreed with Vancouver's new rules to regulate 
location and banning edibles.

Almost 850 adults were polled online between June 28 and July 1 with 
a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom