What should the legal age for purchasing and using cannabis be?
Well, that depends who you ask, reveals an Angus Reid poll released today (Nov. 14).
The study found that three-quarters of Canadians believe the minimum age to purchase and consume cannabis should be raised.
While just over one-in-four (27 per cent) say that 18, the number set by the federal government as the minimum in any jurisdiction, is the right age, nearly the same number (26 per cent) believe that 21 would be more appropriate.
Another 23 per cent would like to see the age raised even higher.
See also: Canada to study social media to learn about perception of pot
See also: Canadian government to study cannabis cyber crime
Differences of opinion on this, and issues of satisfaction post-legalization, are driven largely by age.
Those respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 are twice as likely to say that they are pleased (44 per cent) rather than disappointed (22 per cent) to see marijuana available for recreational use, while the opinions of those over the age of 55 are inverted, with 23 per cent pleased and 43 per cent disappointed.
More Key Findings:
- Albertans and Atlantic Canadians are most likely to say their province chose the correct minimum age for cannabis use and purchase
- The age of 21 appears to be a dividing point for Canada. Half of respondents (51%) say the minimum age should be 20 or under, while half (49%) say 21 or over.
- Canadians are much more likely to have visited an online cannabis store in October than to have visited a physical store (16% to 6%) but equally as likely to have purchased from each – 4 per cent said they made a purchase online or in person.
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