A new poll from Forum Research shows that most Toronto voters (57 per cent) want cannabis dispensaries to remain in operation in the city.
Only 30 per cent of those polled said the shops shouldn’t be allowed to do business in Toronto.
The random sample of 908 Toronto voters showed the strongest support for dispensaries among wealthiest voters (67 per cent), the best educated (64 per cent) and those that already have a dispensary near them (75 per cent).
The poll also asked respondents if they had access to a medical cannabis card or prescription. Two per cent of those interviewed said they did and an additional two per cent said they preferred not to answer (as opposed to saying “no” to the question).
The response indicated that there may be anywhere from 40,000 to 80,000 medical cannabis users in Toronto.
Forum Research president Dr. Lorne Bozinoff said the survey results are a sign that views toward cannabis are evolving.
“It appears this is a case of social acceptance leading political and official acceptance of what used to be considered illegal behaviour,” said Bozinoff. “The thought that stores would openly be selling herb in family neighbourhoods in Toronto would have been laughable as recently as a year ago.”