Plurality against medical marijuana in Estonia
Forty-one percent of Estonian residents are in favor of wider use of prescription cannabis in Estonia compared to the current negligible levels, while 45 percent oppose it, a TNS Emor study revealed.
Support is greater than the average in the capital and western Estonia and among those 35-49 years of age. The study was commissioned by a non-profit advocating medical marijuana, MTÜ Ravikanep, and the sample size was 553. It was carried out in late November.
A total of 43 percent of respondents completely supported regulation of the cannabis market along the lines of the alcohol and tobacco and the prescription drug market, while 24 percent were guardedly in favor. Fourteen percent were completely against, and 7 percent leaned against.
The study also measured awareness of the therapeutic value of cannabis (64 percent were aware, 31 percent were not).
Cannabis and its active ingredients can technically be prescribed by physicians and used with a prescription for the last 10 years, but it is considered all but impossible, involving a 10-step bureaucratic process for asking permission. Not a single application has been submitted, says the non-profit.