MAJORITY OF CANADIANS SUPPORT DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, POLL FINDS

Most Canadians believe they should be free to smoke marijuana with
impunity -- but their tolerance for using pot does not extend to
harder drugs, a new national poll has found.

The Angus Reid poll, released yesterday, also shows that many
Canadians (42%) believe Canada has a serious nationwide drug-abuse
problem, and 70% want mandatory minimum prison sentences and fines
for drug dealers and marijuana-grow operators.

The poll supports the findings of past Angus Reid surveys that showed
most Canadians believe the decriminalization of marijuana possession
is appropriate, but that other illegal drugs should remain illegal.

"As was the case two years ago, a majority of Canadians (53%) support
the legalization of marijuana," the pollster reported. Three
provinces saw the highest levels of support for legalization: British
Columbia (61%), Alberta (59%) and Ontario (57 %). The online survey
of 1,010 Canadians was conducted April 8-9.