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Most Europeans Reject Marijuana Legalization

 

 

Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

 

December 23, 2006

 

 

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few adults in Europe believe marijuana should be readily available for personal consumption, according to the Eurobarometer conducted by TNS Opinion & Social. Only 26 per cent of respondents in 30 countries believe cannabis should be legalized.

 

 

The has the highest support for legalization at 49 per cent, followed by with 40 per cent, and the Czech Republic with 32 per cent each, and with 30 per cent. In , and , less than 10 per cent of respondents concur.

 

 

In the , marijuana is classified as a controlled substance, and its possession and production for personal use are considered misdemeanours. Still, the Dutch Ministry of Justice has developed a "policy of allowance" which outlines specific cases in which public prosecutors should not pursue a case. This policy is usually applied to the consumption of soft drugs.

 

 

Polling Data

 

 

Do you agree with the personal consumption of cannabis being legalized throughout Europe ?

 

 

("Agree" answers listed)

 

European Union	26%
	49%
	40%
	32%
Czech Republic	32%
	30%
	28%
	28%
	28%
	27%
	26%
	22%
	22%
	20%
	19%
	19%
	16%
	16%
	15%
	14%
	13%
	12%
	12%
	11%
	11%
	9%
	9%
	8%

 

Source: TNS Opinion & Social / Eurobarometer
Methodology: Interviews with 29,152 people ages 15 and over in the 25 European Union (EU) member nations, two acceding countries, two candidate countries and the Turkish Cypriot Community, conducted from Sept. 6 to Oct. 10, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.