B.C. voters support research on legalizing pot, says poll

Almost three-quarters of British Columbians would support further research into the taxation and regulation of marijuana, according to a new poll released by Angus Reid today.

The poll,which was commissioned by the marijauna legalization group Stop the Violence BC,also found that 44 per cent ofBritish Columbians would like leaders in the provincial election betterif theysupportedsuch a research trial.

A third of thosepolled said the leaders' opinion on marijuana legalization makes no different to them.

Mario Canseco, vice president ofAngus Reid Public Opinion, says the results show that British Columbians are ready and willing to try new options when it comes to marijuana laws.

"These results clearly indicate British Columbians, regardless of their political affiliation, would welcome researching a new approach to marijuana policy involving the taxation and regulation of adult use," he said in a written statement.

"Consistently, our polling results are showing the public is demanding a new approach and turning away from strategies like mandatory minimum sentences for marijuana offenses."

The poll alsosplit the responses across four general regions. The lowest level of support for a research trial into the legalization of marijuana came from Metro Vancouver (69 per cent), and the highest levels of support were found on Vancouver Island (82 per cent) and in the northern Interior (84 per cent).

About 42 per cent of those polled in the southern Interior said their opinion of a party would improve if it announced its support for a study to evaluate legalizing and taxing cannabis the same proportion as in Metro Vancouver and of those polledfrom Vancouver Island, 52 per centsaid their opinion would improve.

Stop the Violence B.C.says it hasissued a questionnaire to B.C.s four major political parties, asking whether they would support a research trial of cannabis regulation.