About 30% of Polish adults support full cannabis legalization, but nearly 40% favor depenalization of personal possession

Eight years after medical cannabis legalization in Poland, 29.6% supported full recreational legalization, 39.6% favored depenalization (legal possession up to 100g or 3 plants), and 18.7% perceived cannabis as easily accessible. Support was associated with male sex, younger age (18-29), urban residence, and higher economic status.

Cross-sectional nationwide computer-assisted web interviewing survey conducted July 11-13, 2025 with a representative sample of 1,113 Polish adults. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with attitudes toward legalization and depenalization.

Poland legalized medical cannabis in 2017, and this is the first large-scale survey capturing where public opinion stands years later. The clear preference for depenalization over full legalization reveals a nuanced policy gradient relevant to other Central and Eastern European countries.

While Western European and North American cannabis policy discussions dominate the literature, this study provides a snapshot from Central Europe. The depenalization-over-legalization preference mirrors early-stage public opinion shifts seen in countries that later moved toward full legalization.

Online survey may underrepresent older adults and those without internet access. Three-day data collection period is short. Self-reported attitudes may not predict actual behavior or voting preferences.