HAMILTONIANS &

CANNABIS
October 2018
Survey What do
Hamiltonians
How much
support is there
What are the
drivers of

Goals
think of for the support for
cannabis medicinal growing and
legalization? cannabis manufacturing
industry in medicinal
Hamilton? cannabis in
Hamilton?
Methodology

● The research involved an online survey of 600 adult Hamiltonians.

● Survey panelists were recruited using the Maru/Blue online panel.

● The survey was fielded between October 10 – October 17, 2018.

● The questionnaire was designed by Public Square Research in partnership with Campbell Strategies.

● The survey consisted of a total of 31 questions, including demographics.

3
KEY INSIGHTS SUMMARY
Key Insights

9 in 10 74%
Support
Medicinal Cannabis Support Hamilton Grow-Op
Solid majority of Hamiltonians would be supportive of
Legalization the construction and operation of a licenced medicinal
greenhouse in Hamilton

3 in 10 Few maintain smoking Support for key benefits

Have a Family Member that cannabis is wrong of legalization is soft
uses Medicinal Cannabis But 45% feel that cannabis is But a majority say that there is
dangerous money to be made

5
Attitudes about
Recreational Cannabis
 Issue Importance
Four in ten Hamiltonians are concerned about Cannabis legalization, however, it ranks lowest on the list when compared
to other concerns.

Cost of Living 50% 37% 11% 2%

Affordable Housing 40% 34% 17% 9%

Crime and Public safety 37% 44% 16% 3%

Fentanyl/drug addiction 32% 32% 20% 16%

Job opportunities 24% 35% 26% 15%

Public transit 22% 30% 33% 15%

Cannabis legalization 19% 23% 30% 28%

A big concern A concern Not much of a concern Not a concern at all

Q4: Thinking about how these topics affect you, please indicate how much of a concern each one is for you in your day to day life in Hamilton … (n=600)
7
 Agree/Disagree Statements: Cannabis General
More than nine in ten agree that there is a lot of money to be made in the legal cannabis industry. Far fewer maintain that
smoking cannabis is wrong (33%), but where 55% do not think cannabis is dangerous, 45% do.

Agree/Disagree Statements

There’s a lot of money to be made in the legal cannabis

49% 44% 4%
2%
industry
Medicinal cannabis can reduce the dependence on opioids
28% 55% 12% 5%
for some people

Cannabis has health benefits 26% 51% 18% 6%

Cannabis use is not that different from drinking alcohol 20% 38% 29% 12%

Cannabis is dangerous 15% 30% 37% 18%

Smoking cannabis is wrong 15% 18% 41% 27%

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

Q7: Now, switching gears, do you agree or disagree with the following statements about cannabis? (n=600)
8
 Awareness and Support
There is widespread awareness of cannabis legalization, and a majority (64%) are in support of the legalization of
recreational cannabis.

Are you aware that the government intends to legalize How supportive are you of the decision to legalize
recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018? recreational cannabis?

2% 33%
31%

21%

14%
98%

Very Somewhat Somewhat Not at all

Yes No supportive supportive unsupportive supportive

Q8: Are you aware that the Government of Canada intends to legalize the growth, distribution, and sale of cannabis for recreational use on October 17, 2018? (n=600)
Q9: How supportive are you of the Government of Canada’s decision to legalize the growth, distribution, and sale of cannabis for recreational use? (n=600) 9
 Cannabis Consumption
More than half have smoked cannabis, and one in ten who have not intend to try it.

Have you ever smoked cannabis yourself? [If never smoked] Do you intend to try cannabis?

9%

54%
45%

91%

Yes No Yes No

Q12: Have you ever smoked or consumed cannabis yourself? (n=600) 10

Q13: Do you intend to try cannabis, once it is legal? (n=280)
 Usage Patterns among those who have tried it
Two in ten of those who have tried it say they use cannabis recreationally. More than half of recreational users, use
cannabis daily.

[If you have tried it] What best describes your use? [If recreational user] How often do you currently use
cannabis? 56%

38%

22%
18% 20%
15% 17%

8%
6%

I tried it once A few times Not anymore For my health Recreationally Few times a year Monthly Weekly Daily

Q12: What best describes your use? (n=320) 11

Q13: How often do you currently use cannabis? (n=55)
 Issue Importance: Legalization
Reduction of use of other drugs, crime, and sale of cannabis to minors are very important.

Importance of Issues

Reducing the sale of cannabis to minors 55% 35% 8% 2%

Reducing the use of other drugs 53% 36% 8% 2%

The reduction of crime associated with cannabis 52% 39% 8%1%

Well-paying jobs for Canadians 50% 40% 8% 2%

Regulation of the quality of cannabis, making it safer 40% 41% 13% 6%

Business opportunities for local people 38% 49% 10% 4%

Increased tax revenue for all levels of government 29% 48% 17% 7%

Reducing the overall use of cannabis 24% 30% 31% 15%

Very important Somewhat important Not very important Not at all important

Q16: How important are these issues to you? (n=600) 12

 Agree/Disagree Statements: Legalization
Seven in ten do not believe that legalization will help in reducing the sale to minors; almost half (46%) do not believe that
legalization will reduce associated crime, and four in ten say that it will promote the use of other drugs. Seven in ten say that
legalization will provide well-paying jobs, but it is largely soft support.

Agree/Disagree Statements
Tax revenue for all levels of government 35% 54% 9% 2%

Will increase the overall use of cannabis 29% 45% 23% 3%

Will not reduce the sale of cannabis to minors 23% 46% 25% 6%

Business opportunities for local people 22% 60% 14% 4%

Regulate the quality of cannabis, making it safer 21% 49% 23% 7%

Well-paying jobs for Canadians 17% 52% 25% 6%

Reduces crime associated with cannabis 16% 38% 32% 14%

Will promote the use of other drugs 13% 26% 40% 21%

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

Q15: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the legalization of recreational use of cannabis in Canada? (n=600) 13
Medicinal Cannabis
 Subjective Knowledge: Medicinal Cannabis
Close to half know a lot, or a fair amount about medicinal cannabis, and 95% are aware that it is legal.

How much would you say you know about medicinal Are you aware that medicinal cannabis is currently
cannabis? legal?

37%
34% 5%

16%

95%
8%
5%

Yes No
A lot A fair amount A little Not very much Nothing at all

Q17: Now turning to think about medicinal cannabis specifically, how much would you say that you know about cannabis? (n=600) 15
Q18: Are you aware that cannabis is currently legal for medicinal use (for example to help with chronic pain from cancer or arthritis; or anxiety)? (n=600)
 Support for Medicinal Cannabis Legalization
Nine in 10 are in support of legalization of medicinal cannabis.

How supportive are you of the legalization of cannabis for medicinal use?

60%

29%

4% 6%

Very supportive Somewhat supportive Somewhat unsupportive Not at all supportive

Q19: How supportive are you of the legalization of cannabis for medicinal use? (n=600) 16
 Cannabis Knowledge Specifics
Most people know that there are a number of different products, and that cannabis has different components, but far fewer
are aware of the industry writ large.

Are you aware that there are a number Are you are that cannabis also has different Are you aware that New Brunswick is
of different medicinal products? components (THC; CBD)? currently a leader in medicinal cannabis
with provincial revenues of roughly 78
million?

8% 16% 16%

92% 84% 84%

Yes No Yes No Yes No

Q20: Are you aware that there are a number of different cannabis products used for medicinal purposes (including edibles, oils, etc.)? (n=600)
Q21: Are you aware that cannabis also has different components, (e.g., THC and CBD) and that each of these have a different effect and/or health benefits? (n=600) 17
Q22:Are you aware that New Brunswick is currently a leader in the growth of medicinal cannabis, with provincial revenues of roughly $78 million? (n=600)
 Family member uses medicinal cannabis?

Do you have a family member that uses cannabis for

medicinal purposes?
31%

69%

Yes No

Q23: Do you have a family member that uses cannabis for medicinal purposes (for example, to help with pain, anxiety or sleep related issues)? (n=600) 18
Hamilton and Medicinal
Cannabis
 Who will Benefit Most?
Thinking about the medicinal cannabis industry, who do you think will benefit the most?
44%

22% 22%

5% 4% 3%
0%
People who are in pain, The Federal Government Private owners/investors The Provincial The City of Hamilton Local suppliers Employees
or suffering from anxiety in cannabis companies Government
or sleep issues

Q23: Now, thinking about Hamilton and the medical cannabis industry specifically; who do you think will benefit most from medicinal cannabis? (n=600) 20
 Support for Hamilton as Medicinal Cannabis Leader?
Close to three quarters (72%) are in support of Hamilton becoming a leader in medicinal cannabis.

Support for Hamilton becoming a leader in medicinal cannabis

39%
33%

16%
12%

Very supportive Somewhat supportive Not very supportive Not supportive at all

Q24: How supportive would you be if Hamilton were to become an industry leader in medicinal cannabis? (n=600) 21
 Anything that could make you more supportive?
Only one in ten of those who were not supportive say that they would not be supportive for any reason.

I would not support it under any circumstances 9%

Followed regulations set by the government and Health Canada 9%
Had high standards of odour control 8%
Contributed to research at McMaster 7%
Contributed to tax revenue for Hamilton 7%
Created new jobs in Hamilton 7%
Helped people in need 7%
Were owned and operated by a credible organization and… 6%
Met or exceeded environmental standards 6%
If neighbouring businesses and residents approved of their operation 5%
Operated using low volumes of water and electricity 4%
Were involved in supporting important projects in my community 4%
Invested in the continuing education of their workers 4%
Were on agricultural or industrial land 4%
Provided a safe and enjoyable workplace 3%
Were organic 2%
Were owned by people from Hamilton 2%

Q25: Are there any circumstances that could or would make you more supportive of medicinal growing operations located in Hamilton? (n=171) 22
 Support for Industry Specifics in Hamilton
Medicinal cannabis research (89%) and growth, process and distribution (78%), garner the greatest support.

How supportive are you of the following types of medicinal cannabis in Hamilton specifically?

62%

41%
37% 37% 38%
34% 33%
27%
20%
14% 15% 14%
8% 10%
6% 5%

Medicinal cannabis research Growth processing & Retail sales Online sales
distribution

Very supportive Somewhat supportive Not very supportive Not at all supportive

Q26: How supportive are you of the following types of medicinal cannabis in Hamilton specifically? (n=600) 23
 Awareness and Support of Industry in Hamilton
Less than four in ten were aware of council’s decision to stop construction, and 74% of Hamiltonians would be supportive
of the construction and operation of a licenced medicinal greenhouse.

Aware that Hamilton city council recently stopped the Would you support the construction and operation of a
construction of a licensed greenhouse in Ancaster? licensed medicinal greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere
in Hamilton?
38%
36%

37%

14% 13%
63%

Very Somewhat Somewhat Not at all

Yes No supportive supportive unsupportive supportive

Q27: Are you aware that Hamilton City Council recently stopped the construction of a licensed greenhouse for a medicinal cannabis producer in Ancaster? (n=600)
Q28: Would you support the construction and operation of a licensed medicinal cannabis greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere in Hamilton? (n=600)
24
Drivers of Support for
Medicinal Grow Op in
Hamilton
 Support for Grow-Op in Hamilton by Age
Young people are markedly more supportive of a grow op in Hamilton than those over 55 years old.

18 to 34 35 to 55 55+

21% 25%
32%

68%
75%
79%

Support Oppose Support Oppose

Support Oppose

Q28: Would you support the construction and operation of a licensed medicinal cannabis greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere in Hamilton? (n=600) 26
 Support for Grow-Op in Hamilton by Party Support
Conservatives are much less likely to be supportive of a grow-op in Hamilton, compared to their Liberal or NDP
counterparts.

Liberal Conservative NDP

15% 13%

46%
54%

85% 87%

Support Oppose Support Oppose Support Oppose

Q28: Would you support the construction and operation of a licensed medicinal cannabis greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere in Hamilton? (n=600) 27
 Support for Grow-Op by Concern about Legislation
Those who are not concerned about the legislation are also markedly more likely to be in support of a grow-op
in Hamilton.
Concerned about Cannabis Legalization by Support for Grow-Op in Hamilton
56%

45% 45%
41%

29%
27%
22%
19%

A big concern A concern Not much of a concern Not a concern at all

Very supportive Somewhat supportive

Q28: Would you support the construction and operation of a licensed medicinal cannabis greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere in Hamilton? (n=600) 28
 Support for Grow-Op in Hamilton by Usage
Hamiltonians are much more likely to support the construction of a grow-op if they have tried cannabis, or if a family
member uses medicinal cannabis.

I have smoked cannabis A family member uses medicinal cannabis

Strongly support Support Strongly support Support

54%
58%
39%
33% 38%
30% 29%
19%

Yes No Yes No

Q28: Would you support the construction and operation of a licensed medicinal cannabis greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere in Hamilton? (n=600) 29
 Support for Grow-Op by Knowledge about Medicinal Cannabis
The more you know about medicinal knowledge, the greater support you have for the construction of a grow-
op in Hamilton
Knowledge about Medicinal Cannabis by Support for Grow-Op

76%

46% 44%
35% 36%
29%
24%
20% 18%
8%

A lot Fair amount A little Not Much Nothing at all

Very supportive Somewhat supportive

Q28: Would you support the construction and operation of a licensed medicinal cannabis greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere in Hamilton? (n=600) 30
 Support for Grow-Op by Support for Recreational Legalization
The more supportive you are of recreational legalization, the greater support you have for the construction of a
grow-op in Hamilton.
Support for Recreational Legalization by Support for Grow-Op

84%

48%

27% 26%
13% 15%
10%
5%

Very Supportive Somewhat Supportive Somewhat unsupportive Not at all Supportive

Very supportive of Grow-Op Somewhat Supportive of Grow-Op

Q28: Would you support the construction and operation of a licensed medicinal cannabis greenhouse in Ancaster or elsewhere in Hamilton? (n=600) 31
Segmentation Analysis
Segmentation Groups

1. 420 Friendly 30%

Most likely to be 18 to 34 (4 in 10), have smoked (85%), support medicinal legalization (100%), disagree that it’s wrong (99%)
or dangerous (97%), believe in health benefits, support the NDP (27%) and support a grow-op in Hamilton (96%)

2. Soft Supporters 33%

Slightly more likely to be 35 to 55, half have smoked before, support medicinal legalization (94%), disagree that it’s wrong
(89%) or dangerous (70%), more likely to be Liberals; soft support of the benefits (they are more likely to agree than
strongly agree), and more supportive a grow-op in Hamilton (79%).

3. Crime Busters 17%

Slightly more likely to be 18 to 34 (32%), never smoked (60%), more likely to agree that cannabis is wrong (64%) or
dangerous (88%); more likely to believe it will reduce crime (70%) and more likely to see crime reduction as important
(96%), but slightly less likely to support a grow-op in Hamilton (70%).

4. Just say ‘No’ 20%

Most likely to be +55 (48%), never smoked (8 in 10), oppose legalization (94%) but support medicinal (68%); agree that it is
wrong (90%) or dangerous (97%), do not agree that there are benefits, support the Conservative party (40%), and least likely
to support a grow-op in Hamilton (31%).

33
Key Findings
Key Findings
1 2 3 4
More supportive Skepitical of who More than half
Age and party
of medicinal than benefits the know little about
predictors of
recreactional most from medicinal
grow-op support
legalization medicinal cannabis

5 6 7 8
Grow-op Crime reduction Usage & support
Greater support
supporters soft important for 2 for legalization
for grow-op than
on key benefits in 10 who are predictor of
legalization
of legalization morally opposed grow-op support

35
Takeaway
Solid Support for the construction of
a grow-op in Hamilton, but softer
support for legalization and the
arguments for legalization

36
Thank you
Heather Bastedo
President, Public Square Research
hbastedo@publicsquareresearch.ca
(905) 320-8320

37
APPENDIX
Local Politics in Hamilton
Feelings about the Government in Hamilton

Is Hamilton on the right track? Who will you support?

41%

43% 27%
24%
57%

8%

Current local Time for a I'm not voting I'm not sure
government change
Right track Not the right track

40
SURVEY PARTICIPANTS
Neighbourhood & Gender

Where do you live? What is your gender?

Hamilton Mountain 29%

Hamilton, Centre 18%
Hamilton, East 14%
Stoney creek 12%
Dundas 6%
50% 50%
Ancaster 5%
Hamilton, West 5%
Binbrook 2%
Flamborough 2%
Waterdown 2%
Mount Hope 1%
Glanbrook 1% Female Male
Ainslie Wood 1%
Other 4%

42
Age

28% 34% 38%

18 to 34 35 to 54 More than 55

*the data were weighted to reflect the 2017 Canadian census; weighting calculations are available on request.

43
Party and Children

Is there a political party that you lean towards? Children in the household?

No Party 26%

Conservative 23% 26%

Liberal 22%

NDP 20%

I don't vote 4% 74%

Green 4%

Other 1%
Children No Children

44
Education

What is your highest level of education?

34%

19% 18%
14% 13%

1%

High school or Some post- College or University University Prefer not to

less secondary technical/trade undergraduate graduate answer

45