Federalism

The Founding Fathers of the United States designed the American government to incorporate the principles of federalism in the hopes of preventing one individual or group from holding too much power. They established this system through the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. This Amendment reads, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people” (U.S. Const. amend. X).In recent history, there are several policy issues where states are taking the lead, and the policy on marijuana is one of these issues. Recently, the states of Washington and Colorado legalized the use of marijuana in referendum votes, despite the federal prohibition of marijuana outlined in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. For this assignment, you will have the opportunity to analyze choices that governmental officials make and explain your position on these difficult decisions.Drawing on your reading for this unit, write a short essay, between 500 and 700 words, in which you complete the following:

Give your position on the following question: Should the states within the greater United States be able to pass laws to legalize marijuana?

Give at least two specific reasons for your view. You may cite current state and federal legislation as well as court cases within your arguments.

Address whether there are circumstances where states should be able to take the policy lead.

Write in complete, well-constructed sentences.

Draw on specific information from the textbook, and cite your sources using correct APA style.