Nearly half of Aussies support legalising cannabis—do you?
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Something once considered taboo is now edging closer to mainstream acceptance—and it's dividing opinions across the country.
A new wave of support is rising, backed by surprising data and strong voices on both sides of the debate.
So what’s changed—and why are more Australians starting to reconsider what was once off-limits?
Public opinion on cannabis has shifted dramatically in recent years, and the numbers don’t lie. Once considered taboo, marijuana is now at the centre of a national conversation—one that continues to stir strong views across the country.
A recent Roy Morgan survey revealed that 48 per cent of Australians supported the legalisation of cannabis, a sharp increase of 15 percentage points over the past decade.
Out of the 70,000 people surveyed, nearly half said they believed marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
At present, medicinal cannabis remains tightly regulated, available only by prescription in all states and territories except the ACT. The ACT went a step further in 2020, legalising not only use but also the sale of marijuana.
Interestingly, the push for reform appeared to have stronger support among certain groups. Men were slightly more in favour than women, with 51 per cent backing legalisation compared to 45 per cent of women.
Australians aged 18 to 49 were the most supportive demographic, while the 35 to 49 bracket showed 51 per cent in favour.
The highest levels of support came from the Northern Territory and the ACT, where 57 and 56 per cent of respondents respectively backed legalisation. Meanwhile, 41 per cent of those surveyed still believed marijuana should remain illegal in Australia.
‘With nearly half of Australians now in favour, the national mood has shifted significantly over the past decade,’ Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said.
Although younger adults led the charge for change, there remained notable opposition—particularly among teenagers and older Australians.
The Legalise Cannabis Party said the results were no surprise.
‘According to the latest National Drug Strategy Household survey, 80 per cent of the population believe that possession of cannabis should not be a criminal offence,’ campaign manager Suzette Luyken shared.
‘The party believes that a staged implementation is the best way to achieve acceptance.
‘People should be free to grow their own cannabis and not be forced to be reliant on expensive, unregulated, imported products when it comes to their physical and mental wellbeing.’
Despite the growing public support, not everyone agreed that legalisation was the right path. In 2023, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) submitted a formal response to a Senate inquiry, voicing its opposition to a bill that proposed legalising cannabis.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said: ‘Legalising cannabis for recreational purposes sends the wrong signal to the public, and especially to young Australians, that cannabis use is not harmful.’
‘We see poor mental health outcomes from cannabis use including anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, memory loss and an increased incidence of schizophrenia.
‘Cannabis use can lead to physical ill-health conditions such as bronchitis or cancer, cardiovascular system damage, and impaired reaction time and brain function.’
While many acknowledged the drug’s potential benefits—such as its role in easing nausea and managing chronic pain—experts warned that marijuana use could also cause lung damage and cognitive decline.
AMA and Drug Free Australia have been contacted for further comment.
For a deeper dive, check out this insightful clip where a senator challenges outdated cannabis laws—it's a conversation many older Aussies are now part of too.
How does hearing this wider perspective change your view? Jump into the discussion below—we’d love to hear from you!
Could legalising cannabis really boost the budget? Here's what one party claims it could mean for everyday Australians.
Watch the clip now.
Source: Youtube/ABC News (Australia)
As more Australians warm to the idea of legal cannabis, it's clear the conversation is far from over—especially for those who've seen the country shift over decades.
Have your views on marijuana changed over the years, or do you still feel the same? Tell us what you think in the comments.
In an earlier story, we looked at how soaring cigarette costs are nudging older Australians towards cannabis as an alternative.
With many seniors finding themselves reassessing long-held habits, the growing support for legalisation now offers another layer to that ongoing shift.
Read more: Are rising cigarette prices driving older Aussies to try cannabis?
A new wave of support is rising, backed by surprising data and strong voices on both sides of the debate.
So what’s changed—and why are more Australians starting to reconsider what was once off-limits?
Public opinion on cannabis has shifted dramatically in recent years, and the numbers don’t lie. Once considered taboo, marijuana is now at the centre of a national conversation—one that continues to stir strong views across the country.
A recent Roy Morgan survey revealed that 48 per cent of Australians supported the legalisation of cannabis, a sharp increase of 15 percentage points over the past decade.
Out of the 70,000 people surveyed, nearly half said they believed marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
Public support for cannabis legalisation hits 48 per cent. Image source: Pexels/Alexander Grey
At present, medicinal cannabis remains tightly regulated, available only by prescription in all states and territories except the ACT. The ACT went a step further in 2020, legalising not only use but also the sale of marijuana.
Interestingly, the push for reform appeared to have stronger support among certain groups. Men were slightly more in favour than women, with 51 per cent backing legalisation compared to 45 per cent of women.
Australians aged 18 to 49 were the most supportive demographic, while the 35 to 49 bracket showed 51 per cent in favour.
The highest levels of support came from the Northern Territory and the ACT, where 57 and 56 per cent of respondents respectively backed legalisation. Meanwhile, 41 per cent of those surveyed still believed marijuana should remain illegal in Australia.
‘With nearly half of Australians now in favour, the national mood has shifted significantly over the past decade,’ Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said.
Although younger adults led the charge for change, there remained notable opposition—particularly among teenagers and older Australians.
The Legalise Cannabis Party said the results were no surprise.
‘According to the latest National Drug Strategy Household survey, 80 per cent of the population believe that possession of cannabis should not be a criminal offence,’ campaign manager Suzette Luyken shared.
‘The party believes that a staged implementation is the best way to achieve acceptance.
‘People should be free to grow their own cannabis and not be forced to be reliant on expensive, unregulated, imported products when it comes to their physical and mental wellbeing.’
Despite the growing public support, not everyone agreed that legalisation was the right path. In 2023, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) submitted a formal response to a Senate inquiry, voicing its opposition to a bill that proposed legalising cannabis.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said: ‘Legalising cannabis for recreational purposes sends the wrong signal to the public, and especially to young Australians, that cannabis use is not harmful.’
‘We see poor mental health outcomes from cannabis use including anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, memory loss and an increased incidence of schizophrenia.
‘Cannabis use can lead to physical ill-health conditions such as bronchitis or cancer, cardiovascular system damage, and impaired reaction time and brain function.’
While many acknowledged the drug’s potential benefits—such as its role in easing nausea and managing chronic pain—experts warned that marijuana use could also cause lung damage and cognitive decline.
AMA and Drug Free Australia have been contacted for further comment.
For a deeper dive, check out this insightful clip where a senator challenges outdated cannabis laws—it's a conversation many older Aussies are now part of too.
How does hearing this wider perspective change your view? Jump into the discussion below—we’d love to hear from you!
Could legalising cannabis really boost the budget? Here's what one party claims it could mean for everyday Australians.
Watch the clip now.
Source: Youtube/ABC News (Australia)
As more Australians warm to the idea of legal cannabis, it's clear the conversation is far from over—especially for those who've seen the country shift over decades.
Have your views on marijuana changed over the years, or do you still feel the same? Tell us what you think in the comments.
In an earlier story, we looked at how soaring cigarette costs are nudging older Australians towards cannabis as an alternative.
With many seniors finding themselves reassessing long-held habits, the growing support for legalisation now offers another layer to that ongoing shift.
Read more: Are rising cigarette prices driving older Aussies to try cannabis?
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