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| You are here: Home > Features > Decriminalization
of Marijuana in Canada |
Support for Decriminalizing Marijuana
What Canadians think about marijuana use.
Public opinion in Canada leans toward support for the decriminalization
of marijuana possession.
According to a recent Ipsos
Reid/CTV/Globe and Mail poll, over one-half of Canadians
support the decriminalization of marijuana. The November
2004 report shows that while only 36 percent of Americans
favour the policy, 51 percent of Canadians feel decriminalizing
marijuana is a sound idea.
The Prevalence of Marijuana Use
- Statistics Canada reports
that roughly 12 percent of Canadians aged 15 and older
used marijuana in 2002. In 1989, only around 7 percent
used the drug.
- 10 million Canadians report using marijuana at least once
in their life.
- In 2004, Statistics Canada reports
that 4.5 million Canadians used marijuana. The report shows
men use marijuana more than women; about 70 percent of
those aged 18 to 24 reported using marijuana.
- The Canadian Medical Association estimates
that 1.5 million Canadians smoke marijuana recreationally.
- Police apprehend less than 1 percent of marijuana users.
More than 50 percent of those apprehended are excused with
a mere warning.
- In 2001, 49,639 people were arrested for marijuana-related
crimes.
- In the United States, 734,498 people were arrested for marijuana-related
crimes in 2000.
- The Canadian Department
of Justice estimates that 600,000 Canadians have
criminal records as a result of marijuana offences.
For additional statistics, go to a related CBC backgrounder.
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