Most Europeans Reject Marijuana Legalization

[jholmes800]

(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 Netherlands has the highest support for legalization at 49 per cent, followed by Spain with 40 per cent, Britain and the Czech Republic with 32 per cent each, and Ireland with 30 per cent. In Romania, Sweden and Finland, less than 10 per cent of respondents concur.
In the Netherlands, 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%
Netherlands
49%
Spain
40%
Britain
32%
Czech Republic
32%
Ireland
30%
France
28%
Italy
28%
Austria
28%
Portugal
27%
Belgium
26%
Denmark
22%
Slovenia
22%
Luxembourg
20%
Germany
19%
Greece
19%
Lithuania
16%
Slovakia
16%
Malta
15%
Estonia
14%
Hungary
13%
Cyprus
12%
Latvia
12%
Poland
11%
Bulgaria
11%
Romania
9%
Sweden
9%
Finland
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.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/inde...m&itemID=14189

[Alfa]

So a 1100 people to represent each country? 29.000 people represent 728 million people? That's taking one mans opinion and taking his/hers for that of 25.000 people. There is no way that this is even close to accurate.

[Nature Boy]

Opinion polls mean nothing. I don't care what the average Joe's opinion on marijuana legalisation is, the issue doesn't even apply to a large amount of these people seeing as they have no personal involvement in or understanding of the issue. Issues such as this aren't for the public to decide, that's why the issue rarely, if ever, goes down to referendum. Legalisation, or at least decriminalization, should be implemented by governments in order to better their respective nations' own tax-related financial gains. That's their job afterall. Governments introduce many measures that majorities disagree with. Still doesn't mean that certain decisions will have to be made.

[viha]

In Estonia some time ago was a poll again. Now 59% said no. So that makes 41% for YES now!

[doggy_hat]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

Opinion polls mean nothing. I don't care what the average Joe's opinion on marijuana legalisation is, the issue doesn't even apply to a large amount of these people seeing as they have no personal involvement in or understanding of the issue. Issues such as this aren't for the public to decide, that's why the issue rarely, if ever, goes down to referendum. Legalisation, or at least decriminalization, should be implemented by governments in order to better their respective nations' own tax-related financial gains. That's their job afterall. Governments introduce many measures that majorities disagree with. Still doesn't mean that certain decisions will have to be made.

Because after all, How are 1,000,000 people smarter than 1?

The poll's selection is very small. And it could've been selective, they don't mention how they chose the people to interview. If you stand outside a shopping mall asking random people, and then outside of a jailhouse, you'll get vastly different results.

[Pavelo]

Slovakia sux