Marijuana Legalization
It is not uncommon for a policy issue to polarize and divide a nation. Yet, few policy issues reach as many different areas of the United States’ government as marijuana legalization does. Through all branches and aspects of government, the concept of marijuana legalization can be applied and understood. In order to better frame the policy issue, the policy should be viewed with different lenses and all aspects of government. In this essay, it will be shown how marijuana legalization truly incorporates all areas of government interest.
First, the politics that define marijuana legalization should be defined. Ideally, politicking should bring the two sides of an issue closer together. Nevertheless, the American public …show more content…
The true advocates for ideology are the political parties. There is a clear divide on marijuana between the political parties. For example, the Democrats are generally pro-legalization, while the republicans are generally against legalization. Usually, it takes some time for the attitudes of the people to change the political parties. The two party system of the United States ordinarily works very slow on change. So even though much of the public may support it, it takes times for the wheels of change to effect the …show more content…
The congress of the United States forms the legislative branch and is where legislation arises. Ideally, the voice of the people should be heard in congress. However, due to gridlock and the polarization of congress the will of the people isn’t always voiced as loud as it should be. There are several barriers for marijuana legalization to happen through congress. First of all, legalization of marijuana doesn’t fall under the goal of many members of congress. Since most congress members work to be re-elected, taking stances on issues that don’t always agree with the party isn’t the best idea. Most incumbents rely heavily on their party to push them to reelection. Furthermore, voters struggle to create change because they fall victim to Fenno’s paradox. Voters may dislike the work of congress as a whole, but many are big fans of their own representatives and senators. Consequently, there is very little change in congress every election as most legislators get reelected. In order to push marijuana reform further, there would have to be some major changes in the institution of
It is not uncommon for a policy issue to polarize and divide a nation. Yet, few policy issues reach as many different areas of the United States’ government as marijuana legalization does. Through all branches and aspects of government, the concept of marijuana legalization can be applied and understood. In order to better frame the policy issue, the policy should be viewed with different lenses and all aspects of government. In this essay, it will be shown how marijuana legalization truly incorporates all areas of government interest.
First, the politics that define marijuana legalization should be defined. Ideally, politicking should bring the two sides of an issue closer together. Nevertheless, the American public …show more content…
The true advocates for ideology are the political parties. There is a clear divide on marijuana between the political parties. For example, the Democrats are generally pro-legalization, while the republicans are generally against legalization. Usually, it takes some time for the attitudes of the people to change the political parties. The two party system of the United States ordinarily works very slow on change. So even though much of the public may support it, it takes times for the wheels of change to effect the …show more content…
The congress of the United States forms the legislative branch and is where legislation arises. Ideally, the voice of the people should be heard in congress. However, due to gridlock and the polarization of congress the will of the people isn’t always voiced as loud as it should be. There are several barriers for marijuana legalization to happen through congress. First of all, legalization of marijuana doesn’t fall under the goal of many members of congress. Since most congress members work to be re-elected, taking stances on issues that don’t always agree with the party isn’t the best idea. Most incumbents rely heavily on their party to push them to reelection. Furthermore, voters struggle to create change because they fall victim to Fenno’s paradox. Voters may dislike the work of congress as a whole, but many are big fans of their own representatives and senators. Consequently, there is very little change in congress every election as most legislators get reelected. In order to push marijuana reform further, there would have to be some major changes in the institution of