Survey finds most people in BC support drug testing for cannabis

A new poll on legal cannabis shows most British Columbians are in favour of drug testing in the workplace and pardons for pre-legalization possession convictions.

Research Co. asked 1,000 Canadians about their opinions and released their findings today, Oct. 27.

The poll showed 53 per cent of people in BC think employers should either "definitely" or "probably" be allowed to drug test their employees.

British Columbians agreed with drug testing even if the employee is not operating machinery, like pilots, truckers or crane operators.

The poll showed 65 per cent of British Columbians think people who were convicted of simple possession of marijuana should have those convictions taken off their record.

People in BC did not start using cannabis en masse after legalization, according to this study only 13 per cent of BC residents tried marijuana only after it was legalized in 2018. 

Research Co. asked people in BC if other drugs should be legalized, 12 per cent are in favour of legalizing ecstasy, 11 per cent for cocaine, but only 8 per cent support legalizing meth and fentanyl.

B.C. residents may not be in favour of legalizing other drugs, but most British Columbians still support cannabis legalization, with 58 per cent being in favour.

“Support for the legalization of marijuana is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over 66 per cent,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54, 56 per cent and those aged 18-to-34, 48 per cent.”

Find the data here.


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