The policy proposal chosen is the legalization of marijuana. The most ardent advocates of marijuana legalization would want the complete removal of restrictions on the use, possession, and sale of marijuana. They would like marijuana to be treated like any other legal substance, such as alcohol or tobacco. In order to make legalization more likely, these advocates might consider supporting measures to regulate the marijuana market, such as setting age limits for purchase, establishing labeling requirements, and implementing tax structures (Grigsby et al., 2020). They may support efforts to address the potential negative effects of legalization, such as impaired driving and the use of marijuana by minors.
Macro policy advocates favor marijuana legalization because they believe it will reduce the number of people incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses, save government resources that are currently spent on enforcement, and generate revenue through taxes on the sale of marijuana. They believe that legalization will promote individual freedom and personal responsibility (Grigsby et al., 2020). Macro policy advocates engage the eight challenges by conducting research and analysis, building coalitions and partnerships, developing and implementing strategic communications plans, and working with elected and non-elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels (Jansson, 2019). They engage in lobbying, advocacy, and grassroots organizing to build public support for their policy initiatives.
In order to identify key players in the development of a macro advocacy policy initiative, macro policy advocates need to understand the decision-making processes at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as the positions of key stakeholders, such as law enforcement, the medical community, and advocacy groups (Jansson, 2019). Macro policy advocates are likely to encounter others with divergent views, including those who believe that legalization will lead to increased drug use, crime, and other negative consequences (Zvonarev et al., 2019). Macro policy advocates may need to make concessions to get their policy adopted (Jansson, 2019). These include supporting measures to regulate the marijuana market, ensuring that there are adequate resources for education and prevention programs, and addressing the concerns of law enforcement and the medical community.
References
Grigsby, T. M., Hoffmann, L. M., & Moss, M. J. (2020). Marijuana use and potential implications of marijuana legalization. Pediatrics in Review, 41(2), 61-72. Web.
Jansson, B. S. (2019). Social welfare policy and advocacy: Advancing social justice through eight policy sectors. SAGE.
Zvonarev, V., Fatuki, T. A., & Tregubenko, P. (2019). The public health concerns of marijuana legalization: An overview of current trends. Cureus, 11(9), 1-37. Web.