The legalization of marihuana could drastically improve the initiative. The government is taking a moral stand against drug use, the consequences, and the presiding criminal acts, which are committed by individuals for a variety of reasons, with the number one contributing factor being, to support their addiction. Taking a moral stand, saves face, for the government, and in reality gains respect from their citizens. Criminal acts are committed due to there not being any sort of government regulation on the production, and distribution of marihuana. It is very clear that prohibition isn’t working. It does not stop consumers from consuming drugs. It does not stop individuals involved in the drug trade from producing, and distributing drugs, while benefitting greatly from the profits. The street value of the drugs is exponentially high, which in turn creates a feeling of strain on an individual who cannot support their addictive behaviour. Criminologists call this strain theory. Strain theory is defined as “The proposition that people feel strain when they are exposed to cultural goals they are unable to reach because they do not have access to culturally approved means of achieving these goals” (Linden, R. 2015). These individuals turn to illegitimate means to support their addictions, thus committing crime, as they have no legitimate means of supporting their addiction. (Linden, R. 2015).
The legalization of marihuana could drastically improve the initiative. The government is taking a moral stand against drug use, the consequences, and the presiding criminal acts, which are committed by individuals for a variety of reasons, with the number one contributing factor being, to support their addiction. Taking a moral stand, saves face, for the government, and in reality gains respect from their citizens. Criminal acts are committed due to there not being any sort of government regulation on the production, and distribution of marihuana. It is very clear that prohibition isn’t working. It does not stop consumers from consuming drugs. It does not stop individuals involved in the drug trade from producing, and distributing drugs, while benefitting greatly from the profits. The street value of the drugs is exponentially high, which in turn creates a feeling of strain on an individual who cannot support their addictive behaviour. Criminologists call this strain theory. Strain theory is defined as “The proposition that people feel strain when they are exposed to cultural goals they are unable to reach because they do not have access to culturally approved means of achieving these goals” (Linden, R. 2015). These individuals turn to illegitimate means to support their addictions, thus committing crime, as they have no legitimate means of supporting their addiction. (Linden, R. 2015).