The Attitude Towards Cannabis Legalization in Slovenia Through the Prism of Media Narratives and People’s Opinions

Background

In the past decade, the percentage of Slovenian inhabitants favoring cannabis legalization has increased. This article aims to present selected features of media coverage on cannabis legalization over a ten-year period and identify potential correlations between media reporting and changes in public attitudes towards cannabis legalization.

Methods

Two sets of data will be utilized: a study on media reporting on cannabis spanning from 2011 to 2021, and the National Survey on Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use conducted in 2012, 2018, and 2023. The first study involves a qualitative examination of cannabis-related articles published by key national media outlets, the second is a cross-sectional survey based on quantitative research, including a probability sample of Slovenian inhabitants aged 15 to 64 living in private households. 

Results

Media theories emphasize the role of media in shaping people's attitudes towards specific topics. According to the agenda-setting theory, media focus on certain topics while neglecting others, thereby determining the hierarchy by which individuals rank public issues in terms of importance. Concurrently, the framing theory suggests that media place topics in various contextual frameworks, influencing how individuals perceive specific issues. In this paper, we will present the findings of the review of articles on cannabis legalization published by key national media outlets, including the number of articles published each year, changes over the studied period, and an assessment of whether the article supports or opposes cannabis legalization.

Using data from the National Survey on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use, we will illustrate the proportion of Slovenian residents favoring cannabis legalization at three time points (2012, 2018, and 2023), and selected socio-demographic characteristics. By comparing both studies, we will examine potential correlations and the direction of correlation between the number of media articles on cannabis legalization, the favorability or unfavorability of journalistic reporting on this topic, and the increasing support for cannabis legalization among Slovenian residents. 

Conclusions

The findings will reveal potential correlations between media reporting on cannabis legalization and changes in public attitudes towards cannabis legalization in Slovenia. This information could serve as a crucial starting point for further research into the impact of media reporting and the perception of public health issues, guiding decisions on long-term communication strategies regarding public health issues.