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Chileans Still Opposed to Legalizing Marijuana
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Chile would reject the legalization of marijuana in the country, according to a poll by Ipsos. 56.5 per cent of respondents oppose legalizing the drug under any circumstances, down one point since June.
Conversely, the proportion of respondents approving the use for marijuana for medical use has risen to 28.5 per cent from 21.7 per cent in June. 14.6 per cent of people support a complete legalization of the drug, down five points.
Chile has been traditionally regarded as one of the most conservative countries in the Americas. In May 2004, then Chilean president Ricardo Lagos authorized a law that allowed divorce in the South American country for the first time. Homosexuality was legalized in 1998, but the country does not have an anti-discrimination law pertaining to sexual orientation. Abortion is completely illegal in Chile, and so is the consumption and commercialization of marijuana.
Marco Enríquez-Ominami, an independent presidential candidate who split from the Socialist Party (PS), has recently brought back the topic of legal marijuana to the forefront, saying that he "is a supporter of looking into the matter of legalizing marijuana."
On Oct. 9, Eduardo Frei, a former head of state and current presidential candidate for the ruling coalition of left-leaning Agreement of Parties for Democracy (CPD), said during a debate that he supports a partial legalization of abortion, but that he is against legalizing marijuana because, "All drugs are addictive and they lead to harder drugs."
The first round of Chile’s next presidential election is scheduled for Dec. 11.
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose legalizing marijuana?
|
|
Oct. 2009 |
Jun. 2009 |
|
Support |
14.6% |
19.6% |
|
Only for medical purposes |
28.5% |
21.7% |
|
Oppose |
56.5% |
57.5% |
Source: Ipsos
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,522 Chilean adults, conducted from Sept. 16 to Oct. 6, 2009. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.