According to YouGov public data, overall, Australian voters are more for, than against, a new bill that has been proposed in the NSW Parliament. This bill is in favour of legalising the cultivation of up to six cannabis (marijuana) plants at home for personal use.
The proposed legislation would also allow growers to share the plants with their friends. In total, 50% of Australians supported the proposition, with only 31% opposing the motion. 19% were on the fence.
Labor voters were also 50% in support, with 26% against. The Coalition had more voters in favour as well (44% vs. 38% against).
The Greens had the most support of the movement, with 70% backing the bill, versus only 13% who disagreed.
Comparatively, Australians were more in favour of the decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use (54% vs. 33% opposed), but party lines were more clearly drawn.
Labor (62% vs 24%) and The Greens (74% vs 8%) had more party voters supportive of the idea. On the other hand, the Coalition voters (38% vs 51%) had resoundingly more voters oppose the proposition.
Younger Australians are more in support of legalisation
Australians aged 18-24 were the most in support of the cultivation bill, as well as decriminalisation of cannabis.
63% said they would vote in favour of their state allowing personal homes to grow up to six cannabis plants. This support decreased with age, with 54% of 25-34 year olds in favour, compared to 53% of 25-49 year olds, 46% of 50-65 year olds, and 44% of 65+.
The idea of decriminalising cannabis fared a bit better with the age groups. 66% of 18-24s were in favour of decriminalising marijuana in their state, a sentiment that was only echoed louder by 25-34 year olds at 67%. 63% of 35-49s supported the proposition, as did 54% of 50-64s.
Over 65s were the only age group that wouldn’t support passing the motion, with only 31% in favour, while 55% opposed it.
YouGov’s Director of Polling, Amir Daftari said, “This survey experiment shows that the majority of Australian voters support both propositions; decriminalisation of cannabis for personal use at 54%, and legalising cannabis for personal use at 50%. This support is consistent across states and age groups.
“Overall, this is good news for advocates of the cannabis legalisation bill in NSW with the public being more in favour, than against, the proposed bill.”
Methodology: Poll was conducted between December 1 - 5 2023 with a nationally politically representative sample of 1,555 voters. See Australian Polling Council methodology statement for full weightings.
For further information or comment contact Paul Smith Director of Government paul.smith@yougov.com
