Sociological Views on the Legalization of Marijuana and Its Social Consequences

Answer all of the following prompts in an essay format. Make sure to supply as much detail as possible including examples when needed. Be sure to cite all your work. Use in-text citations and complete your work-cited sections. See the Purdue Owl Writing Lab (Links to an external website for MLA and APA essay formatting examples.
1. Pick a sociological topic and discuss it using one of the three theoretical perspectives; Structural Functionalist, Conflict or Symbolic Interactionist Perspective.
2. Many actions prove useful to reduce the prevalence of crime. Both prisons and communities can take actions that will make a difference, both in preventing crime and in changing the lives of ex-convicts.
In two fully developed paragraphs:
Compare the varied and sometimes contradictory suggestions for reducing crime. Provide an example of an action a prison could take to reduce recidivism.
Provide an example of an action a community could take to reduce crime among its citizens.
3. Drug laws have created greater problems than the drugs themselves, legislation to control drugs has failed to reduce demand, the prohibition of what a large segment of the population is committed to doing is impractical, and a legalization of drugs would lower the price of drugs and initiate declines in drug-related crime. Discuss the social impact of the legalization of marijuana. What will be the social benefits and detriments of such law? Should other drugs be legalized; which ones, and why?
4. Enter all work cited in an MLA or APA format
5. 2500 words.

Essay outline/How to answer this question

Title: Sociological Views on the Legalization of Marijuana and Its Social Consequences

Introduction: Using the viewpoints of structural functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist, among others, sociologists can investigate a wide range of social phenomena. Using these viewpoints, we shall examine the societal effects of marijuana legalization in this article. We will also examine methods of lowering crime from the perspective of the jail and the community, taking into account the recommendations and steps put out by academics and decision-makers. We will also address the ramifications of legalizing drugs throughout the analysis, with a particular emphasis on marijuana, and assess both the advantages and disadvantages for society.

Body:

Sociological Views on the Legalization of Marijuana:

Structural Functionalist Perspective: According to this viewpoint, society is a complex system made up of interconnected pieces that work together to keep it stable and functional. According to this perspective, the legalization of marijuana is a reaction to shifting social norms and values. Legalization could help integrate marijuana use into society and provide a means of control and regulation as societal perceptions of the drug change. For example, the growing legalization of marijuana for medical use indicates a practical response to society demands. Legalization might alleviate pressure on the criminal justice system by diverting resources from the enforcement of marijuana-related laws, create income through taxes, and finance public services.

Conflict Perspective: Conversely, the Conflict perspective places a strong emphasis on power disputes and social injustice. Conflicts between various interest groups, including law enforcement organizations, drug firms, and populations disproportionately impacted by drug-related arrests, may emerge in the context of legalizing marijuana. Legalization might upend power relations and put the status quo in jeopardy, which would make those who profit from the current prohibitionist strategy fight. For instance, because their earnings are dependent on a high incarceration rate for drug charges, the private prison industry might oppose the change. This viewpoint forces us to consider carefully whose interests legalizing marijuana serves or threatens.

The symbolic interactionist viewpoint is concerned with the minute interactions and connotations that are associated with symbols and behaviors. This viewpoint focused on the legalization of marijuana highlights the ways in which people and groups understand and value the shift in the law. Legalizing marijuana could cause changes in society perceptions since symbolic interactionism studies how individuals interpret events and react to symbols. Legalizing marijuana, for instance, might change the social dynamics and relationships surrounding the drug by de-stigmatizing its usage. This viewpoint invites us to investigate the cultural context-specific symbolic connotations associated with drug use and legalization.

Strategies for Reducing Crime:

Prison Recidivism Reduction techniques: A mix of punitive and rehabilitative methods is frequently used in crime reduction techniques. Prisons have a significant impact on how criminal conduct is either lessened or increased. One measure a prison could take to lower recidivism is to introduce efficient rehabilitation programs. Correctional facilities’ educational and vocational training programs have demonstrated potential in providing convicts with the skills required for successful reintegration back into society. A comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying causes of criminal conduct may include counseling, drug abuse treatment, and job placement services. Prisons help stop the cycle of crime by giving prisoners the resources they need for a successful reentry.

Community-Based Crime Reduction: Communities play a critical role in establishing conditions that discourage criminal activity. Implementing community policing efforts is an excellent step a town may take to lower crime rates among its residents. In order to promote trust and shared accountability, community policing places a strong emphasis on cooperation between law enforcement and the general public. This method promotes candid conversation, cooperative problem-solving, and the development of strong bonds between police and the community. For example, community outreach initiatives and neighborhood watch programs can encourage residents to take an active role in preventing crime. Such programs help lower crime rates overall by fostering social cohesiveness and tackling concerns unique to the community.

Legalization of Marijuana’s Social Effects:

Potential Social Benefits: There may be some social benefits to the legalization of marijuana. First of all, it may cause law enforcement to refocus their efforts on more urgent problems, which would lighten the load on the criminal justice system. Second, by creating a legal market for cannabis products and enacting taxation, legalization might boost the economy. Public services like healthcare, education, and drug prevention initiatives can all be funded again with the help of these proceeds. Legalization may also lessen the stigma attached to marijuana use, encouraging candid discussions on harm reduction and safe use. Finally, it might reduce organized crime’s participation in the illicit drug trade, which would reduce related violence and criminal activity.

Social Drawbacks: Although legalizing marijuana may have certain advantages, there are also worries about its possible negative social effects. The possible rise in drug abuse, especially among vulnerable groups, is a serious worry. Opponents contend that increased accessibility to marijuana could result in increased addiction rates and detrimental health outcomes. Furthermore, there is concern that legalizing would mainstream drug use, particularly in young people, which could have an adverse effect on mental and academic performance. The impacts on worker safety and productivity are also up for discussion. Legalizing marijuana can also make social inequality worse by giving rich people easier access to items made from the plant, while underprivileged groups might still suffer disproportionately from using illegal drugs.

Legalization of Other Substances: There are many ethical and practical issues surrounding the legalization of other drugs. Legalizing marijuana has becoming more popular, but expanding this strategy to include other drugs needs careful consideration. Weighing the possible advantages—like a decrease in criminalization and the chance to implement harm reduction—against the dangers of rising addiction rates, problems with public health, and social unrest is necessary. There’s rising support for exploring the use of less hazardous chemicals in therapeutic and medicinal situations, such some psychedelics. But given the possibility of abuse and harm to both individuals and society as a whole, the legalization of stronger and more addictive narcotics calls for caution.

In summary, the sociological viewpoints provide insightful frameworks for examining the societal effects of marijuana legalization and crime-reduction tactics. Every viewpoint offers distinct perceptions into the underlying dynamics, enabling us to comprehend the wider societal ramifications. The analysis of community and prison-based crime reduction programs highlights the significance of a multimodal strategy that incorporates both rehabilitation and punishment. In the end, legalizing drugs—including marijuana—requires carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of doing so while taking into account the intricate interplay of social, economic, and cultural variables.

Referenced Work:
(Note: A representative list of sources is provided due to the length constraint. Please consult the relevant citation style standard or the Purdue OWL for an exhaustive list.)

Wallman, J., and Blumstein, A. (2006). The Crime Drop in America. Cambridge University Press.

Frost, N. A., and Clear, T. R. (2014). The Rise and Failure of Mass Incarceration in America: The Punishment Imperative. NYU Press.

Hagan (2017) F. E. Methods of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Pearson.

D. F. Musto (1991). The American Illness: The History of Drug Regulation. Oxford University Press.

D. P. Rosenbaum (2012). Community Policing from a Modern Angle. Anderson Books.

L. Zimmer and J. P. Morgan (1997). Myths About Marijuana Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence. Lindesmith Center.

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