Federalism

Federalism is the U.S governing strategy that involves distributing power across
different institutions to elevate the administrative process and operability. However, despite the
increased operability essence over the decades, the country faces an optimal challenge from the
frequent conflicts concerning jurisdiction and roles in the governance system. One of the
prevalent issues is the conflict between the Federal and State governments concerning the
legalization of marijuana (Constatino, 2021). Colorado is one of the states that legalized the
farming and importation of medical marijuana. According to research, the Colorado legal
framework establishes that only adults can use marijuana, leading to intensified business
practice among entrepreneurs (Constatino, 2021). Although the marijuana business is booming
in Colorado, one of the challenges encapsulates the illegalization by the federal government. As
a result, such institutions as banks alienate from the marijuana-based transactions in Colorado
state due to the contrast by the federal government. On the one hand, federalism affirms the
safety among the American residents based on the restriction of the marijuana drug trade and
associative transactions. On the other hand, the federal government’s role significantly affects
practices by state governments that legalize marijuana trade and farming.
Federalism is an issue that significantly affects the cannabis distribution system in
Colorado, mainly because of the core dynamics. According to research, at least 37 American
states legalized the marijuana trade for medicinal and entertainment purposes. However, the
other states uphold the illegalization of the marijuana trade as either therapeutic or for
recreation. The focus of Cannabis United Standards (2022) indicates that the Federal
government proficiently supports the illegalization of marijuana due to its classification as a
Schedule I category based on the adverse effects on individual health index. Ideally, there is a
higher percentage of addiction among the users hence the promptness to illegalize marijuana.
On a different spectrum, Food and Drug Administration argues that it is crucial to consider the
medicinal value of marijuana due to the chemical compounds that pose a significant effect on
the health index. In this case, there is a prominent contrast between the Colorado state and the
federal government concerning the use of marijuana for medicinal while limiting its use for
recreation purposes.
There is a profound controversy regarding marijuana legalization and the influence of
federalism mainly because of conflict of interests. A report noted that a supreme court judge
disregarded a case about taxation due to the controversial federal laws (Constantino, 2021). The
judge further articulates that marijuana businesses in the respective states establish that the
transactions are difficult with banks due to the federal financial transaction regulations. As a
result, banks refrain from engaging in transactions with the enterprises. Therefore, the
entrepreneurs are limited to cash dealings and transactions with clients, increasing the risk of
rubbering and robberies (Constantino, 2021). Apart from theft risks, the companies face
prominent challenges concerning regulating illegal trading among their counterparts. Some
states only support marijuana for medicinal purposes, while others legalize it for recreation.
Succinctly, federalism is a governance strategy that renders efficacy in distributing
powers and roles. However, the main challenge involves the disparate legalization of practices,
such as the marijuana trade. It is the government’s responsibility to affirm the protection among
U.S residents. Despite the aim to protect the citizens, the divergent overviews on marijuana
legalization intensify the controversy based on the business transactions and advocacy for
federalism. There is a significant interdependence between federalism and democracy mainly
because of the essence of enhancing liberalism. As a result, the main aim regards promoting
health index with minimal interference to the business practice among states promoting
marijuana trade practice.
References
Constantino (2021). Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas says federal marijuana laws may
be outdated. CNBC.com. Retrieved 27 March 2022 from
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/28/supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-says-federalmarijuana-laws-may-be-outdated-.html
Focus on cannabis United Standards. (2022). U.S government position on cannabis/marijuana.
Retrieved 27 March 2022 from https://www.focusstandards.org/us-govt-positioncannabis/