Poll: 51% of French people in favor of decriminalizing cannabis

According to an IFOP poll conducted from May 11 to 17, 2021 among a sample of 2025 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over living in mainland France, 51% of French people are in favor of decriminalizing cannabis. The majority of French people are also in favor of state-controlled marketing of cannabis.

A previous 2018 survey, again conducted by IFOP, indicated that. 51% of French people were in favor of legalizing cannabis. This time, the question asked was about decriminalization and received 51% of favorable opinions, up 8 points on the last IFOP measurement in 2017.

Despite the government line, LREM voters are overwhelmingly in favor of decriminalization (54%), falling short of left-wing voters who are broadly in favor, at 75% for Jean-Luc Mélenchon voters and 77% for Yannick Jadot voters, percentages similar to those attributed to their respective parties.

In terms of age, the increase in opinion was most marked among 35-49 year-olds (59%, +29 points in ten years) and 50-64 year-olds (52%, +20 points). Seniors are the only age group not overwhelmingly in favor of decriminalizing cannabis (38% «rather favorable» among those 65 and over).

Behind the relaxation of regulations expected by some majority of French people, 47% of French people would like to see cannabis legalized. Furthermore, 62% of the French think that marketing cannabis under government control would be more effective than the current prohibition in combating trafficking. A large majority (78%) also believe that repression is ineffective in preventing health risks, while 90% are aware that cannabis consumption represents a risk for young people.

The study report can be viewed here.