Is Society's A Shared Framework Of Meaning And Morality?

On the other hand, Durkheim argues that society only functions if there is a “shared framework of meanings and moralities”, also known as the collective conscience and social solidarity (SOC216, Jan. 19). According to Durkheim, the law is a visible form of social solidarity because it explicitly expresses the shared norms and morality of a society (SOC216, Jan. 19). Crime accordingly contravenes a society’s values and causes moral outrage amongst the members of that society (SOC 216, Jan. 19). The reaction to broken norms and the punishments inflicted on those who break the laws are thus meant to reinforce social order (SOC 216, Jan. 19). Before considering the legal status of marijuana from a Durkheimian perspective, it is crucial to determine how the Canadian society feels about its potential legalization.
A poll organized by Forum Research reveals that close to 6-in-10 or 59% of Canadians support the Liberal government’s plan to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana (2015).
In fact, this is an increased proportion of Canadians who want marijuana to be legalized (Forum Research 2015). An Angus Reid poll also demonstrates that 75% of 799 British Columbians agree that marijuana should be taxed and regulated as an alternative to proscription (Barmak and McCullogh 2013). Since the law is considered to be an expression of the shared norms of a society, Durkheim would argue that marijuana should be considered a legal activity since the majority of Canadians are in favour of legalization. This also suggests that the use of marijuana does not result in a huge moral outrage because most Canadians condone the activity. A Durkheimian perspective would therefore approve of the legalization of marijuana as it does not violate the Canadian society’s
values.