Over Half of Spaniards Support Legalising Marijuana

43.8% of Spaniards are in favour of allowing the private consumption of marijuana by adults, and 8.7% would allow consumption without any restrictions to those over 18 years of age. More than 52% of citizens, therefore, believe that cannabis should be legal in Spain. 42.5%, meanwhile, think that its consumption should be prohibited in all cases.

The Spanish Foundation against Drug Addiction (FAD) has just published a report on “Society's perception of drug problems in Spain, 2014,” based on more than 1,400 surveys of people ages 15 - 65. The study's data reveals that 70% of the Spaniards believe that it is necessary to fight for a society without drugs, and more than 61% view drugs as dangerous substances that should not be tried. Those surveyed were opposed to drug consumption, but their opinions were very different when it came to cannabis.

With regards to the sale of marijuana, opinions do not differ much relative to consumption: 44.4% believe that its sale should always be prohibited, 46.2% think that it should be allowed in a controlled manner, just for adults, and 5.9% would allow its unrestricted sale for those of legal age. 

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This data reflects more favourable opinions than back in 2004: those who endorse prohibiting its sale have dropped slightly (from 49.5% to 44.4%), while there has been a dramatic increase in those supporting its controlled sale and distribution, this group almost doubling, going from 25.5% to 46.2%.

With respect to views about cannabis associations and clubs, 28.2% see them as a positive idea that promotes responsible consumption, 22.2% are bothered by the existence of these clubs, and 19.7% weren't even aware of them. 21.4% of those surveyed thought they should be outlawed because, in their view, they foment consumption or represent a way to "dodge the law."