Poll reveals that majority of Australians support medical marijuana; only 7% opposed legalisation

An overwheliming number of Australians believe that marijuana should be legalised in the country for medicinal use, leaving just seven percent of people interviewed during the survey as opponents of medical marijuana legalisation.

The Roy Morgan Research survey interviewed nearly 644 Australians aged 14 and above. The subjects were asked to share their opinion on whether the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes should be made legal.

The poll results revealed that nearly 91 percent of the Australians believe that it should be legalised for medicinal use. The majority of supporters belonged to the 50-plus age group, with 94 percent of respondents in this group in favour of the decision.

Eighty-five percent of 14-to-24 year-olds responded in favour of legalisation, while 2 percent of the all surveyed said that they were unsure.

CEO of Roy Morgan Research, Michele Levine, said in an interview with The Guardian that it was not surprising to find older people standing in the favour of marijuana legalisation. The medicinal use of marijuana can provide relief for a majority of old-age people suffering from cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease and a number of other conditions.

The poll also found that one third of the population was in favour of marijuana legalisation for smoking or recreational purposes.

“This demonstrates that Australians understand that smoking and consuming marijuana for medicinal purposes are two very separate issues,” said Levine, in a statement.

The Herald Sun reports that among the states surveyed, Western Australia was the most in favour of medical marijuana legalisation with 97 percent respondents favouring an approval. On the other hand, Tasmanians were least in favour, with only 82 percent saying yes to it.

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