Photo: Insights West

It may not come as a huge surprise, but British Columbians are in favour or legalizing marijuana, but not so called 'hard' drugs a new Insights West poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, seven-in-10 British Columbians support the legalization of marijuana, while one-in-four are opposed to it.

Support for the legalization of marijuana is highest among men at 73 per cent, British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (77 per cent), residents of Vancouver Island (also 77 per cent) and those who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2015 federal election (83 per cent).

But BC residents have no interest in legalizing 'hard' drugs.

About four-in-five are against legalizing heroin (79 per cent), ecstasy (80 per cent) and powder cocaine (81 per cent), and an even a higher proportion (85 per cent) oppose making crack cocaine, methamphetamine or “crystal meth” and fentanyl legal.

Three-in-four British Columbians (76 per cent) say they are “very familiar” or “somewhat familiar” with discussions related to marijuana legalization — consistent with the findings of a Canada-wide Insights West poll conducted in October 2016.

And the majority of people don't think pot should be sold out of existing liquor stores with 44 per cent in favour of stand-alone facilities.

But 43 per cent of British Columbians think the legal age to purchase pot be the same as alcohol at 19 years, while 23 per cent choose 21 years.
“In spite of the high level of support for the legalization of marijuana, there are still many questions that British Columbians are pondering,” said Mario Canseco, vice-president, public affairs, at Insights West.

“There is no clear consensus on how to sell cannabis legally, or on the age a person should be in order to become a legal buyer.”