The Evening Standard reports
Sixty-three per cent of residents in the UK’s capital back cannabis legalisation and regulation of the class B drug, with just 19 per cent opposing the idea.
In the UK at large, 47 per cent back legalisation, with 30 per cent against and 23 per cent undecided.
The poll, carried out by Survation at the start of a major Standard investigation into cannabis reform, is the first test of public opinion since medical cannabis was legalised in the UK last November.
They add,
Our poll looked into the impacts of legalisation and asked respondents which arguments they found compelling.
The key findings were:
- Economic factors had the most sway countrywide: 72 per cent found it persuasive that it could take £2.5 billion out of the hands of criminals and bring this money into the regular economy.
- 68 per cent were convinced by the ability to deploy £1 billion of tax revenues on public services.
- Health and criminal justice impacts also had a strong pull: 68 per cent were motivated by the argument that it would allow the authorities to strictly regulate and label the strength of cannabis sold and limit the potency.
- 66 per cent were persuaded it would reduce children’s access to cannabis.
- 66 per cent were compelled by the idea it would lead to less violence.
- Of the arguments against legalisation, the ones that gained most traction were concerns it could lead to more car accidents and more cannabis-related mental health problems, with 65 and 63 per cent convinced respectively.Liz McCulloch, director of policy for Volteface, said: “This is the first time the public have been asked what arguments for and against they find most convincing.
“The result shows the economic incentive is most prominent, as well as health concerns to limit potency of cannabis, which probably reflects concerns around the harms of high potency cannabis known as ‘skunk’.
