Marijuana legalization in the United States is currently becoming a common trend among the states have continued to embrace the benefits and need for legalizing recreational marijuana. The states are evaluating the income aspect in form of taxes that is generating revenue for the individual states thus allowing its recreational use. Those incarcerated on marijuana charges have been subjected to a fair trial since the states prohibit using recreational cannabis. The states that outlaw the drug use operate within the rule of law which subjects any convicted offender to a fine or imprisonment for a given period of time (Cerda et al., 2017). States follow their laws to institute judgment on the drug offenders whether the drug is legalized at the federal level.
Federalism gives citizens more protection by allowing citizen to participate in government matters through democratic exercises such as electing their leaders. In addition, it protects citizens from tyrannical powers of a particular group of people through sharing powers with state governments and exercising the power in the same jurisdiction. According to Robertson (2017), federalism promotes patriotic character among citizens where the local people feel protected by state laws which increase stability, power and influence. However, federalism can lead to potential instability due to the confusion that arises when different laws apply to the same jurisdiction. A good example would be legalization of recreational marijuana at the state level while being outlawed at the federal level. Federalism is also accused of bringing inequality between states, protecting slavery and discrimination of certain races, and may provoke secession policies in some states. It also blocks the implementation of national policies at the state level since states have been given authority to make their own laws.
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Yes, the legalization of marijuana in some states is a good example where states are taken as laboratories of democracy. Davis and Mendelson (2019) asserted that the government from the different states can implement their own state policies which will serve as a test on its practicability at the national level. The federal government can then implement after realizing the benefits or problems caused to people. If the policy becomes a benefit to the society, the federal government can then adopt the policy and legalize recreational marijuana at the national level.
References
Cerda, M., Keyes, K. M., & Hasin, D. S. (2017). Association of state recreational marijuana laws with adolescent marijuana use. JAMA pediatrics , 171 (2), 142-149.
Davis, J. M., Mendelson, & Booth, R. E. (2016). Public health effects of medical marijuana legalization in Colorado. American journal of preventive medicine , 50 (3), 373-379.
Robertson, D. B. (2017). Federalism and the Making of America . Routledge.
