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Most Europeans Reject Marijuana Legalization
(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.
