Pot smoking on the rise

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Pot smoking on the rise

OTTAWA – Canadians are smoking marijuana more than ever before, and they want to be left to light up without facing the law, a new survey reports.

A landmark survey released by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) shows that the use of marijuana is at all time record levels. The Canadian Addiction Survey, the first major study of the issue in a decade, reveals that criminalizing marijuana has not deterred Canadians from using it. In fact, it has done the opposite.

According to the survey, usage rates among young people have doubled over the last ten years. All the laws and the hundreds of millions of dollars given to police enforcement towards deterrence have been an abysmal waste of time and money. The survey shows that today 70% of 18 to 24 year olds admit to having used marijuana in their lifetime.

Usage rates are soaring even as the government continues to pour hundreds of millions of dollars each year to enforce our marijuana laws. The Canadian Addiction Survey also reveals that 44.5% of Canadians admit to using marijuana in their lifetime and 14.1% of Canadians admitting to use in the past year. 54% of the over three million Canadians admitting use in the last year describe their use as monthly, weekly, or daily.

"Criminal prosecution and enforcement has only led to increased consumption of marijuana. We need a smarter strategy, starting with the recognition that the current approach has failed," said Jody Pressman, Executive Director of NORML Canada. “Criminalizing use has ruined people’s lives, cost hundreds of millions, and only served to fatten police budgets and the profit margin for organized crime.”

The government recently reintroduced Bill C-17, legislation that would continue to criminalize marijuana use despite evidence that this approach exacerbates usage rates rather than reduces them.

“Over three million Canadians use marijuana and they are tired of being treated like criminals. Government is out of touch with public opinion on marijuana,” said Pressman. “Instead of perpetuating the failed policies of the past, NORML Canada calls on government to regulate and tax marijuana like beer, wine, and spirits.”WSN

For further information or media availability, contact:

Jody Pressman, Executive Director, NORML Canada at (613) 270-0602