Canadians concerned about legal marijuana, as some users believe they can drive safely

With the recent tabling of federal legislation Canada continues its march towards the legalization of marijuana. A new State Farm Canada survey released today found a number of emerging trends which reveal Canadians’ perceptions about marijuana use, its safety, and driving while under the influence are evolving.

Generally, the path toward legalization seems to be changing how Canadians feel about marijuana, largely in a more accepting way. One out of 4 survey respondents say that their views on marijuana have changed since Prime Minister Trudeau announced his promise to legalize marijuana. And of those whose views have changed, nearly 70% feel that marijuana use has become more acceptable.

On the issue of marijuana and driving, those who use marijuana see things quite differently from those who do not. One in 10 respondents admit they have driven under the influence of marijuana (45% within the past 12 months), but nearly half of this group say they don’t believe marijuana impacts their ability to drive safely. This is an increase of five per cent from 2016, but also shows that users have a very different view of driving while high than the rest of the population. When the same question was asked of Canadians in general, 73% felt that marijuana use would impair the skills necessary to drive

Among the highlights:

• One out of 4 survey respondents say that their views on marijuana have changed since Prime Minister Trudeau announced his promise to legalize marijuana. And of those whose views have changed, nearly 70% feel that marijuana use has become more acceptable.
• On the issue of marijuana and driving, those who use marijuana see things quite differently from those who do not. One in 10 respondents admit they have driven under the influence of marijuana (45% within the past 12 months), but nearly half of this group say they don’t believe marijuana impacts their ability to drive safely.
• 80% say they are concerned about people driving under the influence of marijuana
• 83% feel there is not enough information available about the risks associated with driving under the influence of marijuana
• 3 out of 4 don’t believe, or are unsure, that police have the tools and resources to identify marijuana-impaired drivers
• 38% believe that stiffer penalties would discourage people the most from driving while high. This is closely followed by stronger road side testing (30 per cent) which jumped up by 11 per cent when compared to the 2016 survey
• 75% said that people who drive while high should have the same legal penalties as those who drink and drive
• 73% believe that people who drive high should be given an impaired driving (DUI, DWI) charge
• 68% do not feel that the Canadian legal system has made progress over the past year to deal with people who drive under the influence of marijuana, whether in the form of testing, legislation or public awareness

About the Survey

The online survey, conducted in March, 2017, polled 3,061 respondents of driving age across Canada.

About State Farm

In January 2015, State Farm’s Canadian operations were purchased by Desjardins Group, the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and among the three largest P&C insurance providers in Canada. With its 500 dedicated agents and 1700 employees, the State Farm division provides insurance and financial services products including mutual funds, life insurance, vehicle loans, critical illness, disability, home and auto insurance to customers in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.statefarm.ca