Most Brazilians are against decriminalization of marijuana, says survey

A Datafolha survey released this Saturday (23) reveals that 67% of Brazilians are against the decriminalization of marijuana, while another 31% were in favor of releasing the drug. The research institute interviewed 2,002 people over the age of 16 between March 19 and 20, in 147 Brazilian cities.

The decriminalization of marijuana returned to the national debate recently, when the Federal Supreme Court (STF) began discussing a process to determine a minimum amount permitted for personal use of the drug, differentiating the user from the dealer.

At the same time that the ministers postponed the analysis of the case, after a request for a review from Minister Dias Toffoli, and with only one vote left for decriminalization; the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ) of the Federal Senate decided to prohibit the possession and possession of any type and quantity of drugs throughout the national territory, in a clear demonstration of what parliamentarians said was the will of Brazilians.

In the previous survey, 61% of respondents said they were against the decriminalization of marijuana, compared to 36% in favor. According to this week’s survey numbers, rejection of the decriminalization of marijuana grew most among young people aged 16 to 24, a segment in which the opinion against decriminalization increased from 46% to 55%.

In the next age range, from 25 to 34 years old, this rate increased from 56% to 65%. The margin of error for the total sample is two percentage points, plus or minus, within the 95% confidence level.