Angus Reid Survey Data September 2011 From September 7 to September 9, 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 800 British Columbian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error which measures sampling variability is +/ 3.. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age,, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entiree adult population of British Columbia. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. Poll results: 1. The vast majority of British Columbians believe there is link between gang related violence in BC and organized crime s efforts to control the province s large illegal marijuana trade. Do you think there is a link between gang related violence in British Columbia and organized crime s efforts to control the province s large illegal marijuana trade? Yes, a strong link 64% Yes, a weak link 2 No, there is no link at all 7% 68% 60% 20% 2 7% PC Lib NDP Green Lib 77% 7 57% 58% 7 17% 22% 28% 1 2 4% 10% 4% 4% 1 NDP Green PC 64% 3 7 64% 24% 34% 20% 24% 1 2% 7% 1 4% 60% 68% 6 2 20% 2 7% 1 7% 1
2. British Columbians believe the current approach to controlling the cannabis trade has failed, and policies must change. Support or Oppose Keeping existing marijuana laws unchanged. Strongly support Moderately support 10% Moderately oppose 28% Strongly oppose 5 8% 1 27% 30% 54% 48% 1 PC Lib NDP Green NDP 4% 1 8% 7% 8% 30% 30% 27% 2 2 44% 54% 5 58% 58% 7% 7% 7% 7% LIB Green 2% 1 2% 32% 28% 4 62% 8% PC 2% 7% 10% 1 30% 6 50% 8% 1 8% 2 2 32% 57% 4 50% 10% 4% 0% 7% 10% 3. British Columbians in all regions and with all political allegiances are concerned with the increase in violent activity from gangs and organized crime. How concerned are you with the way that gangs and other organized crime groupss have been increasingly involved in shootings and other violent activity across the province? l Very concerned 42% Moderately concerned 40% Not too concerned 14% Not concerned at all 4% 3 44% 38% 4 1 12% 2% PC Lib NDP Green NDP 50% 37% 37% 5 4 3 4 3 27% 3 10% 18% 20% 1 4% 0% LIB Green 4 38% 3 38% 14% 24% 4% 0% PC 4 3 42% 4 14% 12% 48% 3 17% 2% 4 38% 40% 4 14% 1 2% 4% 2
4. 87% of British Columbians say gang violence related to the illegal marijuana trade affects the public. Agreement with Gang violence affects British Columbians when drug trafficking groups fight over profits from the illegal marijuana trade. 52% 3 Moderately disagree 7% 52% 52% 5 64% 4 4 54% 34% 3 3 30% 3 34% 34% 8% 7% 7% 4% 2% 7% 4% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 14% 2% 54% 3 48% 5 34% 3 38% 3 8% 12% 8% 2% 1 2% 2% 5 50% 4 28% 37% 40% 8% 4% 4% 5. British Columbians want change, stating regulation of marijuana is a better alternative to current polices. Agreement with Chasing and arresting marijuana producers and sellers is ineffective we would be better off taxing and regulating the adult use of marijuana 4 5 38% 3 4 54% 4 5 4 5 3 47% 54% 38% 34% 24% 20% 28% 2 3 20% 30% 22% 2 27% 2 22% 2 2 34% Moderately disagree 7% 1 10% 12% 10% 7% 1 14% 1 2 1 1 18% 2% 27% 22% 14% 1 2 1 1 18% 2% 27% 22% 3
6. The majority of British Columbians from all regions and with all political beliefs say that possession of a marijuana cigarette should not lead to a criminal record. Agreement with The possession of a marijuana cigarette should lead to a criminal record. 1 Moderately disagree 18% 5 8% 10% 1 8% 7% 12% 4% 10% 4% 1 20% 1 2 22% 14% 28% 14% 60% 58% 50% 6 67% 6 6 2% 4% 2% 10% 24% 8% 12% 2% 8% 1 2 18% 14% 17% 54% 7 5 57% 2% 1 7% 17% 1 22% 68% 5 5 2% 7. Most British Columbians oppose mandatory minimum sentences for marijuana related crime. Support or Oppose Instituting strict mandatory minimum prison sentences for marijuana related crime, including possession of six or more marijuana plants. Strongly support 2 Moderately Support 18% Moderately Oppose 1 Strongly Oppose 40% 2 2 30% 1 17% 10% 1 18% 17% 2 2 12% 1 1 17% 1 1 1 17% 24% 1 4 38% 27% 4 5 42% 48% 7% 4% 2 10% 3 2 2 12% 12% 18% 1 20% 20% 32% 5 2 4 4% 4% 14% 2 24% 17% 18% 17% 1 28% 4 3 2 1 4
8. The vast majority of British Columbians including Conservative voters do not believe that possession of a marijuana cigarette should affect a person s ability to find and maintain employment. Agreement with The possession of a marijuana cigarette should affect a person s ability to find and maintain employment. 14% Moderately disagree 2 5 8% 10% 1 8% 8% 7% 12% 1 10% 18% 1 2 20% 27% 2 27% 17% 52% 50% 4 54% 6 4 5 4% 7% 27% 1 12% 10% 14% 27% 24% 20% 22% 4 58% 4 4 2% 1 10% 14% 12% 1 1 22% 1 5 52% 4 30 For media requests, please contact: Crystal Reinitz 604.623.3007 ext. 301 crystal.reinitz@ @edelman.comm 5