cannabisnews.com: Pot Gap Growing, Says Poll Pot Gap Growing, Says Poll Posted by CN Staff on April 27, 2003 at 10:23:32 PT By Bill Kaufmann & Jason Botchford -- Sun Media Source: Calgary Sun A massive pot-smoking generation gap between Canada's young people and their parents is widening, a new Sun-Leger poll shows. More than a third of young adults (36%) aged 18-24 have smoked marijuana in the past year, compared to only 8% of their parents -- those in the 35-54 age range -- according to the new survey taken in early April. The percentage of Canadian youth who smoke marijuana -- 58% have tried it by age 24, according to the poll -- has been continually rising since 1993 and is now among the highest in the world. The poll also revealed more Canadians support liberalizing laws regulating marijuana use than oppose the moves. Of 1,501 Canadians surveyed, 40% supported outright legalization of the use of cannabis or decriminalizing personal possession, while another 43% backed legalizing its medicinal consumption. Only 14% insisted the drug should always be kept illegal. The poll comes as federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon readies legislation to decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana, expected to be tabled this spring. The bill is a response to the number of marijuana possession cases thrown out by judges. "In the past three to five years, we're starting to see a growing acceptance (of liberalization), not just in the public but at the government level, which is the most significant," said Dave Sholz, Leger's VP. "The general perception is it's okay to have it legalized in some format." The format that's grown in popularity is the medical use, with perceptions of the drug altered by the government's own painstaking efforts to cultivate cannabis underground in Flin Flon, Man., said Leger. But there's still a strong undercurrent among Canadians running against general legalization that would see it sold in stores, he added. "There's still a stigma to it with that illegal context ... people say they don't want it in their face all the time," said Leger. A majority of those polled stated they didn't believe cannabis use would lead to harder drugs, with 58% saying the drug would either have no effect or would decrease the chance. Leger said views on the "gateway drug" issue have shifted dramatically and are crucial in marijuana's growing acceptance. "If we were to go back 20 years or less, there was a perception if you were a teenager smoking pot, you'd end up on the street shooting heroin," he said. "Now it's thought to be no worse than drinking beer or (could) even be better for you." As for overall use of the drug, 56% of Canadians say they've never smoked it, while 5% admitted to smoking it in the past week and 2% in the last month. B.C., which is seen as Canada's premier marijuana growing region, offered the most enthusiasm for decriminalization or legalization with 52% backing. Ontario showed the lowest support at 36%, while Alberta came in at 39%. The poll is considered accurate to within 2.5%. Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)Author: Bill Kaufmann & Jason Botchford -- Sun MediaPublished: Sunday, April 27, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The Calgary SunContact: callet sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmWeed - What's Next? - Winnipeg Sunhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16074.shtml 'Born in Hysteria' - London Free Presshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16073.shtmlPot Use Among Young Growinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16072.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Post Comment