Soc 331
State and Federal Marijuana Legalization
University of Ashford
Soc.
331
Instructor Risa Garelick
April 22, 2014
State and Federal Marijuana Legalization
This paper will focus on the State and Federal marijuana legalization from three scenarios and analyze the retributive, commutative, and distributive justice of these three scenarios complex situations. First scenario will be a “recreational pot smoker, who lives in a state that recently legalized growing, possessing, selling, and distributing, through state-regulated dispensaries, limited amounts of marijuana for medical use”(Ashford University online school website,2013). Second scenario “a parent living in the same state, concerned that her 12-year-old will be exposed to new and significant risks of addition of pot that will be readily available in their community” (Ashford University online school website, 2013). Third scenario is the “Chief of Police of the city where these people live, who has urged the City Council to enact new local zoning and other regulations that will make it virtually impossible for medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in the city” (Ashford University online school website, 2013).
First, let us look at what the definition are for retributive, commutative, and distributive justice. Retributive justice “is the proper response to people who have acted unjustly, commutative justice is a fair exchange-through contract, covenant, or other agreement- that fulfills the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved, and the distributive justice is justice in the distribution of goods and services” (Driesbach, 2013).
The first scenario of a “recreational pot smoker who lives in a state that recently legalized growing, possessing, selling, and distributing amounts of marijuana for medical use” (Ashford University online school website, 2013). Retributive justice is seen in this scenario, as the pot smoker will unjustly misuse the law because the pot smoker
University of Ashford
Soc.
331
Instructor Risa Garelick
April 22, 2014
State and Federal Marijuana Legalization
This paper will focus on the State and Federal marijuana legalization from three scenarios and analyze the retributive, commutative, and distributive justice of these three scenarios complex situations. First scenario will be a “recreational pot smoker, who lives in a state that recently legalized growing, possessing, selling, and distributing, through state-regulated dispensaries, limited amounts of marijuana for medical use”(Ashford University online school website,2013). Second scenario “a parent living in the same state, concerned that her 12-year-old will be exposed to new and significant risks of addition of pot that will be readily available in their community” (Ashford University online school website, 2013). Third scenario is the “Chief of Police of the city where these people live, who has urged the City Council to enact new local zoning and other regulations that will make it virtually impossible for medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in the city” (Ashford University online school website, 2013).
First, let us look at what the definition are for retributive, commutative, and distributive justice. Retributive justice “is the proper response to people who have acted unjustly, commutative justice is a fair exchange-through contract, covenant, or other agreement- that fulfills the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved, and the distributive justice is justice in the distribution of goods and services” (Driesbach, 2013).
The first scenario of a “recreational pot smoker who lives in a state that recently legalized growing, possessing, selling, and distributing amounts of marijuana for medical use” (Ashford University online school website, 2013). Retributive justice is seen in this scenario, as the pot smoker will unjustly misuse the law because the pot smoker
References: Clement & Craighill, (2012, December 16). Legalizing marijuana: What’s happening in other states? Associated Press. Retrieved from http“//www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/12/legalizing_marijuana_whats_hap.html Dreisbach, C. (2013). Social and criminal justice in moral perspective. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Guarino, M. (2012, November 12). How will Feds deal with marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washinton? The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/1112/How-will-feds-deal-with-marijuana-;egalization-in-Colorado-and-Washinton?nav=586497-csm_article-leftColRelated Myers, L. L. (2012, December 6). Marijuana users celebrate legalization in Washington State. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1206/Marijuana-users-celebrate-legalization-in-Washington-state-video Parashar, A. (2012, December 18). Easing of marijuana laws complicates parents’ advice to kids [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/12/18/167549231/easing-of-marijuana-laws-complicates-parents-advice-to-kids