The majority of young people in Britain are against the liberalisation of drugs laws, a new poll has found.
Research for The Independent, carried out by ORB, shows that 54 per cent of 18-24 year-olds think it should be “completely illegal” to buy or sell cannabis.
Even more young people are against the legalisation of skunk cannabis, with 55 per cent opposed to a change in the law.
Completely illegal
The poll also found high opposition to skunk legalisation amongst older Brits.
Seven in ten people aged 55-64 agreed the drug should be “completely illegal to buy or sell”.
Last week, the BBC revealed that the number of arrests being made for cannabis possession has fallen by 46 per cent since 2010.
This is despite evidence from crime survey data that cannabis use has remained roughly the same.
Enforcement
At the end of 2014, a survey of voters in marginal constituencies found that a majority of people think the answer to Britain’s drug problem is tougher enforcement.
A ComRes poll, commissioned by The Christian Institute, found that 56 per cent think the right approach is to enforce the current law, while fewer than one in four (24 per cent) support a more liberal stance.
Responding to the ComRes results Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, said: “This poll highlights just how out of touch those pushing for the legalisation of drugs are.
“The public know that drugs devastate lives and cost the country billions. Making access to these dangerous substances easier will simply make matters worse.”