his on a macro level. Functionalist theory examines the issue from the standpoint that society as a whole feels the same about the problem. It assumes everyone's values are identical. Therefore, marijuana abuse as a social problem is better examined from the conflict perspective because it doesn't take peoples values into consideration. Conflict theorists would most likely solve the problem of marijuana abuse by suggesting legalization. When considering the underlying current of a major power struggle between the groups who control the drug supply and the groups who are in need of the drugs, legalizing marijuana would virtually eliminate this. Control of this illegal substance would no longer be in the hands of the huge drug cartels, but would be readily available to anyone. Additionally, the power struggle between law enforcement agencies and drug users would no longer exist either. All the laws and prisons used against groups of lesser power would be useless. This move would go a long way towards removing the disparity between races, classes, and socioeconomic groups now in prison for drug offenses. On the other hand functionalist theorists would opt for a more conventional solution. They would lean towards eliminating marijuana usage. Their approach would include drug education in the schools and treatment facilities, thereby decreasing the drug demand. This would cover all the levels of society. Functionalists perspective focuses on micro, middle, and macro levels in society, thus a full-scale war on drugs would be their ideal solution. ...
