On October 17th, Canada became the second country and the first major world economy to federally legalize recreational marijuana. Global powers around the world will be following the impact of the decision closely and just south of their attention, there’s growing optimism among Americans that the move will have positive effect on Canada.
When Canada initially passed the landmark legislation in June, YouGov Omnibus surveyed Americans and found that 38%, the plurality, believed that it will have an overall positive effect on Canada. YouGov surveyed Americans again with a similar question in October, when it became officially legal in Canada to consume recreational marijuana, and American optimism has soared. At present, 51% of Americans believe that legalizing marijuana will have a positive effect on Canada.
Public support for marijuana legalization varies depending on what it would be used for. A vast majority (78%) say that medical marijuana should be legal and an additional 8% say medical marijuana should be decriminalized. Just 5% of Americans say medical marijuana should be illegal.
Read more from the YouGov here
