Two
thirds approve of marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver
Fewer approve of council order to close dispensaries
TORONTO April
24th, 2016 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by
the Forum Poll™ among 1033 voters in the city of Vancouver, two thirds say
marijuana dispensaries should be allowed to operate in the city (64%), while
just more than a quarter think they shouldn’t be allowed (28%). One tenth don’t
have an opinion (9%). Approving of dispensaries is common to the youngest
(82%), the wealthy ($80K to $100K - 73%) and among those who have used
marijuana in the past (82%). Opposition to these retail outlets is common to
the oldest (36%), homeowners (32%), those who voted for Kirk Lapointe in the
last mayoral election (48%), those who disapprove of the job Gregor Robertson
is doing as mayor (37%) and those who have never used marijuana (43%). By
comparison, in Toronto, just fewer than 6-in-10 voters approve of dispensaries
operating (March, 2015 - 57%).
Majority have a dispensary in their neighbourhood
Close to 6-in-10 voters have a marijuana
dispensary in their neighbourhood (58%), especially the wealthiest ($100K to
$250K - 66%). One quarter say there is no dispensary in their neighbourhood
(25%), while as many as one sixth are unsure (16%). Those least likely to know
if their neighbourhood is home to a dispensary are the oldest (23%), the least
wealthy (22%) and those who have never used marijuana (22%). By comparison, in
Toronto, where dispensaries have just begun to operate, one tenth say there is
one in their neighbourhood (11%).
One half may have used marijuana in the past
Four-in-ten voters have used marijuana or
cannabis in the past (40%), while one tenth would prefer not to answer (11%),
rather than say they haven’t (48%). So, it may be that one half of Vancouver
voters are current or past tokers (51%). Claimed past use of marijuana is most
common to the youngest (49%), males (46%), the wealthy ($80K to $100K - 54%),
Gregor Robertson voters (44%) and those who approve of his performance as mayor
(45%). In Toronto, just fewer claim past usage (36%) and a similar proportion
prefer not to answer (9%), for a total of close to half who may have used in
the past (45%).
One tenth may have medical marijuana prescription
Close to one tenth of Vancouver voters
claim to have a medical marijuana card or prescription (8%), and a further one
twentieth prefer not to say (4%) rather than deny it (88%). Thus, more than a
tenth of Vancouver voters may hold medical marijuana prescriptions (12%). These
are most likely to be the youngest (21%), the least wealthy (often a proxy for
youth - 21%), those who rent rather than own (17%), those with some college or
university (17%) and those who have used marijuana in the past (21%). In
Toronto, by comparison, one in fifty claim a prescription (2%) and a further
one in fifty prefer not to answer (2%) for a total of about one twenty-fifth
with a medical marijuana card (4%), or one third the proportion evident in
Vancouver.
Fewer than half approve of plan to close dispensaries
Just fewer than one half of Vancouver
voters approve of council’s plan to license a handful of dispensaries and force
others to close (47%), while more than a third disapprove of this plan (35%).
Close to one fifth have no opinion (17%). Agreeing with council’s plan is
especially common to the younger set (35 to 44 - 54%), the wealthiest (53%),
mothers of children under 18 years old (56%) and the best educated (post grad -
55%).
“It
appears social acceptance of these dispensaries is leading political and
official acceptance, and most Vancouverites don’t appear to have a big problem
with them, even in their own neighbourhoods. It is interesting to note that
approval in Vancouver, where dispensaries have been around for a number of
years, is about the same level as in Toronto, where these outlets have only
appeared this year," said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum
Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
