Insight

Brits unconvinced by change in drugs laws

Brits unconvinced by change in drugs laws

The results may not be as positive as some 420 celebrators might have hoped, as six in ten (61%) Brits still think cannabis should be illegal for recreational use.

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Although cannabis received a more positive response than any of the other currently prohibited drugs listed, still only three in ten (29%) though it should be legalised. As with other substances, more men than women wanted it to be legal (34% to 25%).

Strikingly, over two in five (43%) Londoners wanted marijuana to be de-criminalised.

Still, cannabis seems to have negative connotations with most, with a majority (54%) agreeing that it is a dangerous drug, and half (51%) saying they would be upset if they found out a close family member smoked it.

But then those backing the status quo might also need some answers: eight in ten (79%) Brits agreed that drugs being illegal has failed to stop people using them, while 70% thought cannabis should be legal for medical use in some circumstances.

Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,001 UK adults aged 18+ from 11th to 14th April 2014. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.