Policy Networks a Prevalent Feature Democratic Governanc

Policy Networks a Prevalent Feature Democratic Governanc The issue I have selected related to policy networks pertains to utilizing marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state of Florida. At present, the usage of marijuana within this state is illegal -- regardless of the purpose. There are staunch advocates against legalizing marijuana or any other illegal substance which may be used as a recreational drug within this state.

The most eminent form of opposition more than likely comes from current Florida governor Rick Scott, which not surprising considering that networks frequently involve "local and national governments" (Thatcher, 1998, p. 389). However, the issue of medical marijuana has recently come to the attention of state legislators and government officials due to a form of marijuana known as "Charlotte's web," which is exceedingly low in THC (the active ingredient in the substance that produces euphoric "highs") yet high in cannibidiol, which is known to counteract the effects of potentially deadly epileptic seizures.

The most basic level for the actors and the organizations in the policy networks that are involved in this particular issue are the advocates -- specifically the parents of children who suffer from conditions in which they incur epileptic seizures.

Partisans for this organization not only include parents and other family members of these children in Florida, but also the parents and family of a young girl in Colorado, Charlotte, who was treated with this form of cannabis and reduced her rate of seizures from hundreds a week to just one a week (Klas, 2014). The fact that these people are mere citizens is aligned with the reality that "policy network policy is" a "social construct" (Jordan, 1990, p. 319).

The other organization that these parents and family members have networked with are key legislators known as the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, which heard testimony from the former group and agreed to bring this issue to other legislators to get a proposed committee bill to attempt to decriminalize this strain of marijuana. The actors and organizations opposed to legalizing marijuana include a number of state politicians (including Scott), as well as organizations such as the Florida Medical Association, which is instrumental in keeping marijuana usage outlawed in the state.

Democratic governance directly influences the operation of policy networks, specifically for ones such as the legalization of medical marijuana within state grounds. As previously mentioned, the most fundamental level of actors for the proponents of such legislation include family members and friends of children who suffer from epileptic seizures. These individuals are voters for the most part, and have a direct influence over the legislative organizations and actors -- both those who are in favor of and those who are opposed to this initiative.

By exercising their rights to vote, which is democracy at its finest in action, these friends and family members can greatly influence who is elected to these positions of power regarding the creation of laws for medical marijuana. Therefore, it is a fair assessment to state that democratic governance influences the operation of policy networks by functioning as a way to put people in place who will form the most powerful organizations in a policy network. As such, the relationship between democratic governments and.