55 % of Western Europeans in favor of cannabis legalization, according to poll

The «pros» outweigh the «cons». For a majority of people in eight Western European countries, legalizing cannabis would be a good thing. 55% of respondents in France, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands are in favor. This is the result of a survey commissioned by the cannabis industry.

The results vary from country to country. In seven of them, a majority of people would like to legalize the plant. Only in the Netherlands were a minority (47 %) in favor of such a reform. In France, 52 % are in favor, 27 % opposed, 18 % don't know.

« Opposition to cannabis reforms (legalization of sales, introduction of social clubs, culture at home) in France is higher than in all the other countries surveyed».», noted the pollsters.

«No legalization in the immediate future in France»

In Germany, while the country prepares to legalize recreational cannabis, But that doesn't mean support is overwhelming. «Only one in two Germans support the legalization of cannabis sales, two out of three people oppose it. It will be interesting to see how public opinion evolves once we know the details of legalization.», adds the document.

The authors of the study also wanted to know which model Europeans prefer. The result: « State-regulated stores are by far the most popular (and least controversial) model for cannabis legalization. Home cultivation faces the strongest opposition.» 

This rejection of self-cultivation is particularly strong in France and the UK, according to the study. It explains this position by the fact that «the public is worried by the nuisance or disgust of being exposed to cannabis use in others».

Finally, the survey tries to predict the future. Without a crystal ball, but by analyzing recent events. For our country, the specialists «do not expect any reform on recreational cannabis in the immediate future». Elsewhere, the results are more encouraging. In the United Kingdom, where is already quasi-depenalized, support is growing for legalization. In Italy, a forthcoming reform is «possible». In Portugal, there is a «dynamic».

Study funded by industry players

All these encouraging results must be qualified (a little), however. Indeed, this opinion poll was financed by industry players, who are rubbing their hands at the idea of possible legalization in Europe.

The benefactor of this study is the American giant Curaleaf. Coincidentally (or not), its director is very confident that cannabis will soon be legalized in Europe. To carry out this survey, he also called on the British firm Hanway Associates.

This does not mean that the results are rigged. On the contrary. The methodology appears to be sound. In fact, it was devised by Savanta ComRes, one of the UK's leading polling firms. Between mid-February and mid-March, the pollsters interviewed 9,000 people, from all walks of life.  »representative samples» over 18 in each country.