Marijuana Was Decriminalized In Canada In October 201 977656

Marijuana Was Decriminalized In Canada In October 2018 Since That Tim

Marijuana was decriminalized in Canada in October 2018. Since that time, many Canadian police departments have implemented policies regarding officials using marijuana that would probably shock many Americans. For example, the Vancouver Police Department says that it will not impose any restrictions on their officers for using marijuana while off-duty. The only policy they will enforce is that all officers must be fit for duty when they report to work. It essentially holds them to the same standards as after-hours alcohol consumption.

Changes are happening in the United States as well. In Atlanta, Georgia, which is a state where marijuana use is still illegal, the Atlanta Police Department will no longer ask applicants if they have smoked marijuana and consider its use as a factor in eligibility to join the force. They claim that they have lost too many qualified candidates when asking them about marijuana smoking. Share your opinions, from both the perspective of a criminal justice administrator working in a state where marijuana use has been decriminalized and from the perspective of a private citizen, on whether criminal justice personnel (in states where it is legal) should be allowed to use marijuana while off-duty. Explain why you feel as you do. Your journal entry must be at least 200 words.

Paper For Above instruction

Allowing criminal justice personnel to use marijuana while off-duty in states where it is legal raises important considerations about personal freedoms, professional standards, and public safety. From the perspective of a criminal justice administrator working in a decriminalized state, permitting officers to consume marijuana off-duty can be seen as an acknowledgment of individual rights and evolving societal norms. Marijuana laws have shifted significantly, emphasizing treatment over punishment, and many argue that responsible use by adults should not impede their ability to perform their duties effectively. Since off-duty use does not directly affect job performance when officers are sober and fit for duty, restricting personal freedoms could undermine morale and trust within the force. Additionally, administrative policies can emphasize accountability and sobriety during working hours, ensuring public safety is maintained without policing personal lives unnecessarily.

Conversely, from a private citizen's perspective, there are concerns about the potential impact of marijuana use on judgment, decision-making, and community perception. Some argue that even off-duty use could lead to impaired vigilance or poor decision-making, which might jeopardize policing effectiveness and public trust. There are also worries about role modeling, especially considering the authority granted to law enforcement officers. However, many studies indicate that moderate, responsible use of marijuana does not impair functioning significantly when used off-duty, especially when there are clear boundaries about sobriety during work hours. Ultimately, policies should focus on balancing personal autonomy with professional responsibility, ensuring that officers are accountable and capable of carrying out their duties without impairment when on duty.

References

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