73% of Mexicans reject marijuana legalization: survey

A survey conducted by the Center of Social Studies and Public Opinion (CESOP) of Mexico's Chamber of Deputies revealed that 76% of the participants approve that marijuana is legalized for medicinal purposes, while 73% reject legalizing the drug for recreational purposes.

In the telephone survey, conducted between November 6 and 8 with the participation of 911 people, 82% of the respondents said they were against allowing its sale and distribution in Mexico.

The poll, which has a margin of error of ± 3.2%, was conducted after the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN) authorizing four people who filed an appeal to use marijuana for fun.

The survey also revealed that 77% of the participants think that if marijuana is legalized, consumption will increase, while 20% said it would not grow and 71% say that its use would go out of control.

Also 91% of the participants said that they would not try marijuana even if it was legal, and 72% said that using marijuana opens the door to try other drugs, while 70% believe that legalization would lead to a public health problem.

Moreover, the survey revealed that 55% of the participants think that drug trafficking would not decrease if marijuana is legalized, while 62% said that drug-related violence would remain unchanged.