News release
Embargoed until 00:01 Tuesday 19 February
Tel: 07980 213 943 or 07970 174 747
Web: www.tdpf.org.uk
Registered charity number: 1100518
New Ipsos MORI poll shows 53% of GB public want cannabis legalised or decriminalised, and 67% want a comprehensive review of our approach to drugs
A new poll by Ipsos MORI, commissioned by Transform Drug Policy Foundation, shows that over half of the public (53%) support cannabis legalisation (legal regulation of production and supply) or decriminalisation of possession of cannabis. Only 1 in 7 support heavier penalties and more being spent on enforcement for cannabis offences. In addition, the survey shows that around two thirds (67%) support a comprehensive independent review of all the possible policy options (from legal market regulation to tougher enforcement) for controlling drugs.
The findings indicate that 45% of mid-market newspaper readers (including Daily Mail and Express readers) support cannabis legalisation (legal regulation of production and supply) or decriminalisation of possession of cannabis, with less than one in five (17%) supporting heavier penalties and more being spent on enforcement for cannabis offences. For tabloid readers these figures are 47% and 20%. Around 65% of mid-market newspaper readers and 66% of tabloid readers support a full review of all drug policy options.
Additional survey findings include:
- 53% of the public support legal regulation or decriminalisation of cannabis - 50% of Conservative supporters and 55% of Labour supporters also support these options, as do 46% of Daily Mail readers
- Only 14% of the public (and 17% of Daily Mail readers) support tougher enforcement and heavier penalties for cannabis offences
- 67% want a comprehensive review of all policy options. 70% of Conservative supporters and 69% of Labour supporters also feel this way, as do 61% of Daily Mail readers
- When outcomes from Portugal were briefly described, almost 40% of the public support the Portuguese-style decriminalisation of small quantities of drugs for personal possession
A spokesperson for Transform said: “These results show just how far ahead of politicians the public are. Whilst Labour and Conservative politicians shy away from the debate on drugs, around half of their supporters want to see legal regulation of cannabis production and supply or decriminalisation of cannabis possession, and a significant majority want a comprehensive review of our approach to drugs – including consideration of legal regulation. The poll demonstrates that even amongst Daily Mail readers, almost half support less punitive approaches to cannabis, and a majority back an independent review of all options, which may come as a surprise to the paper’s editors.
“Politicians have repeated their ‘tough on drugs’ propaganda for so long that they assume the public are more fearful of change than they really are. In fact the world has changed, and the public are far more progressive than was thought, right across the political spectrum. At the very least the government should heed long standing and growing calls for a review of all policy options, including legal regulation. And as a matter of urgency the coalition should engage in experiments in the Portuguese style decriminalisation of possession of drugs for personal use. Now is the time for the heads of all parties to show the leadership citizens surely deserve.”
Contact
Danny Kushlick, Head of External Affairs: 07970 174 747 danny@tdpf.org.uk
Steve Rolles, Senior Policy Analyst: 07980 213 943 steve@tdpf.org.uk
Notes
1. The full poll data is available here: http://www.tdpf.org.uk/Ipsos_MORI_TPDF_poll.pdf
Technical Details
Ipsos MORI carried out the survey, on behalf of Transform Drug Policy Foundation, between 25th January and 5th February 2013. A sample of 946 British adults aged 18+ completed a face-to-face survey via the Ipsos MORI omnibus. The data has been weighted by gender, social grade, age, region, working status, housing tenure and ethnicity to reflect the known local population profile.
Questions / Definitions
- Given the subject matter, questions were presented to respondents on showcards with options reversed for some respondents. Respondents read out a letter to indicate their response.
- Q1 was a split sample question: half sample were asked Q1A half sample were asked Q1B.
Q1A. Possession of illegal drugs is currently a criminal offence in the UK. Some other countries have ‘decriminalised’ possession of small quantities of illegal drugs for personal use. This means that possession of a small quantity for personal use is usually punished with fines (like a speeding fine), or attendance at a drug treatment or education programme, rather than arrest. Under ‘decriminalisation’, drugs are still confiscated. Production and supply to others remain criminal offences that may result in punishments carrying a criminal record, for example a prison sentence, fines or community service.
With this in mind, which of the following comes closest to your view of the law in the UK?
- The law in the UK should stay as it currently is, so that possession of illegal drugs remains a criminal offence.
- The law in the UK should be changed, so that the possession of small quantities of illegal drugs is ‘decriminalised’, as described.
- An experimental trial of ‘decriminalisation’ should take place for a limited time period in some parts of the UK, to allow its effectiveness to be evaluated.
- Other
Q1B. Possession of illegal drugs is currently a criminal offence in the UK. Some other countries have ‘decriminalised’ possession of small quantities of illegal drugs for personal use. This means that possession of a small quantity for personal use is usually punished with fines (like a speeding fine), or attendance at a drug treatment or education programme, rather than arrest. Under ‘decriminalisation’, drugs are still confiscated. Production and supply to others remain criminal offences that may result in punishments carrying a criminal record, for example a prison sentence, fines or community service.
Since this was introduced in Portugal in 2001, and resources were instead spent on healthcare, overall use of drugs rose at a similar rate to neighbouring countries. However, there were higher numbers accessing drug treatment, the justice system spent less time and resources on drug-related crime, and there were falls in problematic drug use, and drug use amongst school age children also fell.
With this in mind, which of the following comes closest to your view of the law in the UK?
- The law in the UK should stay as it currently is, so that possession of illegal drugs remains a criminal offence.
- The law in the UK should be changed, so that the possession of small quantities of illegal drugs is ‘decriminalised’, as described.
- An experimental trial of ‘decriminalisation’ should take place for a limited time period in some parts of the UK, to allow its effectiveness to be evaluated.
- Other
Q2. Would you support the government commissioning a full independent review of drug policy, that compared our current system of criminalisation with alternatives, including: increasing the criminal penalties for production, sale and use of drugs; decriminalising drug possession as described; and the legalisation and state regulation of production and supply for some currently illegal drugs?
- Yes, I would support a review
- No, I would not support a review
- Other
Q3. Here are a number of different options for regulating the production, supply and use of cannabis (also sometimes called marijuana, pot, hash, grass, skunk, weed, spliff or joints). Please read through this card and then read out the letter next to the option which you think best matches how you think cannabis should be regulated.
Scenario A. Legal – minimal control
Legal to produce and sell cannabis with minimal control and regulation.
Similar to tea and coffee, there is unrestricted advertising and availability. Only basic trading standards and quality controls apply, with prices, location and number of outlets decided by the market.
Scenario B. Legal – moderate control
Legal production and availability of cannabis with moderate government control and regulation
Similar to the current system for tobacco and alcohol, but cannabis is only available from licensed shops or premises. The number and location of outlets is decided by the government, which also influences prices through taxes or setting minimum prices. Packaging carries health warnings, and advertising and age restrictions apply.
If you are underage and in possession of cannabis, it may be confiscated. Licensed premises selling the drug to anyone underage will be fined, and may lose their license. All unlicensed sales are illegal and may result in punishments that carry a criminal record, for example a prison sentence, fines or community service.
Scenario C. Legal – strict control
Legal production and availability of cannabis with strict government control and regulation
Like controlled medicines, cannabis is only available either with a doctor’s prescription for medical uses, and/or bought over the counter from a licensed retailer similar to a pharmacist, trained to give health information and advice. The government decides prices, maximum quantities sold, and the number and location of outlets. Users may be registered, age restrictions apply. Packaging carries health warnings, and branding and advertising are banned.
Any licensed retailers selling cannabis to anyone underage will be fined and may lose their license. All unlicensed sales are illegal and may result in punishments that carry a criminal record, for example a prison sentence, fines or community service.
Scenario D. Illegal – decriminalise possession
Illegal to produce and supply, but possession of cannabis does not lead to a criminal record
Supply of cannabis is only through the illegal market where manufacture, distribution and sale are unregulated. Those found in possession of a small amount of cannabis for personal use would not be given a criminal record. But the drug may be confiscated, and the user given a fine (similar to a speeding fine), or a requirement to attend a drug treatment or education programme.
Production and supply of cannabis to others remain criminal offences that may result in punishments carrying a criminal record, for example a prison sentence, fines or community service.
Scenario E. Illegal – current laws apply
Illegal to produce, supply and be in possession of cannabis – all lead to a criminal record
Supply of cannabis is only through the illegal market where manufacture, distribution and sale are unregulated. Production, supply and possession for personal use, or to supply others, can result in punishments that carry a criminal record, for example a prison sentence, fines or community service.
Scenario F. Illegal – much heavier penalties apply
Illegal to produce, supply and be in possession of cannabis – all carry a prison sentence
Supply of cannabis is only through the illegal market where manufacture, distribution and sale are unregulated. Possession for personal use is always punished with a prison sentence, or a young offenders’ institution for under 18s. Production and supply to others is punished with an automatic life prison sentence. Substantially more money would be spent on enforcement against suppliers and users.
ENDS
|
|
imported blog post
Tuesday February 19, 2013 00:01
by Transform
printable version
