The State of Washington was one of the first states in United States of America to legalize marijuana. Washington initiative 502 collected 241,153 signatures and petitioned the state legislature for approval by a popular vote. Initiative 502 encouraged voters to turn out and vote in the referendum. The initiative was supported by the state’s famous attorneys including John MacKay and Pete Holmes. 81% of the voters turned out and approved marijuana consumption with 56% of the total votes cast being in approval. Under initiative 502, marijuana was legalized for adults above the age of twenty one years. The possession of large amounts and growing of unregulated amounts of marijuana remained federal and state offences. The State Liquor Control Board was to tax and regulate the sale of marijuana. The taxes collected are to be used in supporting the health care system and drug abuse prevention measures. Marijuana sellers will pay $ 250 to be licensed and $ 1000 every year to keep the license valid.
The social construction theory of reality, popularly known as the theory of social constructionism keenly examines the popularly held understanding of the world. The theory seeks to analyze the collective understanding of human experiences. One of key elements of the theory is the influence language has on the socially constructed meanings. Major proponents of this theory are Ian Hackings and Dave Elder Vass.
Beliefs on what is right or wrong are socially constructed. Many moralists opposed the legalization of marijuana because of the century held beliefs on what is right or wrong. Scientific research conducted before, had shown that marijuana caused mental illness and was highly associated with lung cancer. People held those beliefs as the gospel truth. The government banned the use of marijuana across America as a consequence. This has been a federal crime until states like Washington and Colorado decriminalized the same. Institutions of social control such as the church and conservative groups strongly opposed the legalization of marijuana. The traditional ideologies about marijuana were broken when Netherlands became the first country to legalize marijuana and other cannabis related drugs for adults over twenty one years.
Compared with advocacy condition, Interest Group Theory, institutional rational choice and multiple streams framework, the social construction theory had the least influence of the legalization of marijuana in Washington. Although the majority of the people had to overcome the socially constructed meanings on marijuana, their new understanding would have been futile without the collaboration of various sectors of society. Organizations supporting the legalization of marijuana were formed and online forums were created to drum up support for the Washington 502 initiative.
The Multiple Streams Frame Work theory was developed by J.W. Kingpin. Kingpin explained the process the government uses to come up with solutions to problems. Multiple streams theory rejects the traditional problem solving processes by adding rationalism and incrimination in the process of policy formation. Agenda formulation, according to Kingpin, is influenced by the interplay of politics, problems and policies. A close scrutiny of the Washington 502 initiative reveals the application of Multiple Streams Theory leading to the legalization of marijuana.
Positive convergence of politics, policies and problems provide the engine that fuels social change. Changes within streams occurs independent of each other. The war on drugs had failed as the former Deputy Director of Narcotics had said while drumming support for the Initiative 502. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws drummed support for the Washington Initiative 502. The Initiative 502 was also supported by Pat Robertson, a renowned televangelist. Pro marijuana organizations reported that 749,825 people were arrested for possession of marijuana in the United States of America. It was also reported that Bill Gates voted for the legalization of marijuana. The support from politicians fueled the overwhelming 56% vote for the Washington Initiative 502. The scientific community moved into support the Washington Initiative 502 by stating that marijuana was less harmful compared to tobacco and alcohol. The community argued that marijuana is helpful in reducing the symptoms of a variety of medical conditions. Marijuana is a terminus drug as opposed to cocaine which is a gate away. Most marijuana users do not consume other drugs.
Businesses and entrepreneurs drummed support for Initiative 502 with the hope of benefitting financially in the future. The clothes industry was already benefiting from the campaign by printing t-shirts supporting the initiative. Marijuana sellers would be the greatest benefactors from the initiative. Patrick Moen, a former DEA agent, left his job to join Privateer Holdings. His new job description would be helping the business to navigate through the drug market. Moen argued that his efforts entail eliminating the black markets set up by drugs cartels. He stated that professional companies should be set up to exploit the opportunities created by the new marijuana law.
The state legislature had to discuss some pertinent issues concerning the legalization of marijuana. Initially, marijuana sale and production was under the domain of illegal drug cartels. Its production and sale was often marred by violence as different cartels competed to cut an edge in the black market. The Washington initiative 502 collected signatures from the public to petition the state legislature to put the matter to a referendum for the public consideration. This was the last option after all the other legal measures to legalize marijuana had failed.
The state legislature had to discuss issues concerning the sale and distribution of marijuana before the law came into effect. The sale of marijuana was put under the Washington Liquor Control Board. Its sale is limited to marijuana retailers who would be licensed at a charge of $250 dollars. The license would be renewed annually at a charge of $1000. Private companies are not allowed to engage in marijuana sale and production. The same would apply to churches, organization and nonprofit making corporations.
Unregulated growth of marijuana is illegal under the new marijuana law. People growing marijuana in large scale without WLSB license would be prosecuted both by the state and federal authorities under the doctrine of dual sovereignty. Marijuana is allowed to be grown in small scale in homes for recreational purposes. Such growth will not require to be licensed. The number of retail sellers is also an issue that must have been brought before the state legislature. The unlimited number of retailers would lead to the proliferation of marijuana sellers. The number of marijuana sellers is to be determined by the number of the populous cities in the state.
In summary, the convergence of policies, problems and politics provided an avenue for the legalization of marijuana in the State of Washington. This was also fanned by the American dream. The social and psychological effect the American dream could be seen in Washington Initiative 502. People curved the moral universe to increase the opportunities of liberty, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness.
References
Cooper, S. B., Cilbuka, G. J., & Lance, D. F. (2010). Handbook of Education Politics and Policy. New York: Routledge.
Hackings, I. (2010). The Social Construction of What? Boston: Harvard University Press.
Johnathan, C., Angela, H., Beau, K., & Mark, A. K. (2012). Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know. London: Oxford University Press.
Reilly, M. (2014, January 21). Bill Gates Voted for Marijuana Legalization in Washington. The Huffington Post.
Sledge, M. (2014, February 3). Why This DEA Left His Job To Help Sell marijuana. pp. 6-12.
