Targets

The targets for the reform of marijuana laws are not only marijuana users but everyone in the United States. The targets can be constructed into two groups; marijuana users, and people who don't use marijuana. Both of these groups would drastically be affected by a policy change in the current marijuana laws. My reasoning is quite simple, people who use marijuana would no longer fear negative repercussions from using the substance and will win back an important civil liberty. People who don't use marijuana would benefit from taxes paid by marijuana users. However this can only be achieved by a collective effort from both groups, or targets, that my policy is aimed towards. Yet one problematic factor is the idea of people using their "local knowledge", or what their individual communities think of the specific policy issue.

In Southern California it seem that peoples "local knowledge" towards marijuana and the reform of the current laws is more accepting than other parts of the nation. If it were up to the public, for example in Venice, California, the "local knowledge" of peoples view on marijuana would most likely cause the residents to favor or propose policies that would favor the reform of marijuana laws. However where I'm from, Wimberley, Texas, people who use their "local knowledge" in determining policy issues with marijuana would most likely be opposed to a change in our current marijuana laws. Its all a matter of what is deemed acceptable in each community, or region. California being a Democratic state with many liberals, and Texas a Republican state with many conservatives. Although I'm not suggesting that all liberals are for the legalization of marijuana and all conservatives opposed. So with this factor could the targets be changed from marijuana users and people who don't use marijuana to target groups of liberals and conservatives, or perhaps Democrats and Republicans?