Many Canadians Support Pot Taxes

[BA]

November 28, 2004

(CPOD) Nov. 28, 2004 – Many adults in Canada would support regulating cannabis in the same manner as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, according to a poll by SES Research conducted on behalf of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. 53 per cent of respondents support taxing marijuana.

On Nov. 1, the federal government re-introduced a controversial bill that seeks "alternate penalty frameworks" for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. The legislation does not call for outright legalization of the substance.

In July 2002, Canada became the first nation in the world to regulate the consumption of cannabis for medical reasons. In the 2004 federal election, the Marijuana party—which calls for the outright legalization of Cannabis—received 0.3 per cent of the popular vote.

Polling Data

Do you strongly support, somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the government regulating and taxing marijuana as it does beer, wine and spirits?

Strongly support
29%

Somewhat support
24%

Neither support nor oppose
9%

Somewhat oppose
10%

Strongly oppose
27%



Source: SES Research / National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws