In 1971 Parliament passed the Misuse of Drugs act which made the non-medical use of certain drugs illegal. The act classified the drugs into 3 penalty categories. Class A: Cocaine, crack, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, methadone, methamphetamine and magic mushrooms. Penalty: 6 Months to Life Class B: Amphetimine, barbiturates, codeine, ketamine, synthetic cannabinoids, mephedrone, methylone, methedrone and MDPV. Penalty: 3 Months to 14 Years. Class C: Anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines, GBL and GHB, khat and BZP. Penalty: 3 Months to 14 Years.
Response rates from 2.4m UK voters.
43% Yes |
57% No |
32% Yes |
38% No |
10% Yes, for most but not all drugs |
13% No, but decriminalise drugs that offer medicinal benefits such as marijuana |
1% Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time |
4% No, but increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation |
2% No, and increase punishment for drug dealers |
|
1% No, we should pass tougher drug laws |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 2.4m UK voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 2.4m UK voters.
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Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@8RXVKCT4yrs4Y
Yes, also,smoking tobacco and vaping should be illegal
@9N429PW5mos5MO
Yes, for personal use, so that police resources can be allocated towards targeting drug smugglers and gangs instead of individual use
@8PVJ3754yrs4Y
No, but the sentence for dealing drugs should be reduced significantly.
@8SG5GZ33yrs3Y
No, but money should be put towards rehabilitation and drugs such as marijuana should be legal as it is less harmful than legal drugs such as alcohol
@8TMGFHZ3yrs3Y
Yes and improve education on drugs so people know what they’re getting into
@8KJS9694yrs4Y
I would decriminalise all drugs as I believe in putting the emphasis on rehabilitation and a new social care plan to help people understand the effects of drugs. I think by decriminalising all drugs, this will lead to the reduction in overdoses, HIV infections, and drug related crime.
@8ZS9DGW3yrs3Y
Yes, and provide education and rehab for recovering addicts
@8QWLM564yrs4Y
Yes, but the sale, distribution and illegal growing of banned substances should still be a criminal offense.
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