The first part of the project will be an exploration of a real, ongoing conflict, including substantial backgrounds on the parties involved, the nature of th

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. Federal Government

Signature Assignment

LD 9327

Negotiation and Conflict Management

Summer 2022

Amridge University

Steven Alford

Dr. John R. Hill

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 2

Introduction

The use of cannabis has evolved over the past twenty-five years into a landscape

that has medical benefits for consumers while being an economic booster across multiple

platforms. In terms of economic stability, investing in employees and giving them ample

opportunity for success is a fundamental aspect of what it means to live the American

dream (Brant & Castro, 2019). Currently, there is interpersonal conflict within employee

workforces regarding cannabis possession and the United States Federal Government’s

refusal to legalize the substance (Weaver, 2022). As the American dream stresses the

importance of meeting the unique needs of a specified customer base without

discrimination, employee workforces are requesting the same level of commitment from

the Federal Government of the United States in terms of possessing cannabis and using

the substance in a legally responsible manner (Chaney et al., 2020).

The United States Federal Government

The Federal Government is composed of judicial, executive, and legislative

district branches whose powers are vested by the United States (Hansen et al., 2020).

Federal legalization of cannabis is an ongoing issue in the United States (Weaver, 2022).

Recently, legislators in Congress have proposed cannabis-related bills including the

Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act and the Secure and

Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act. These measures positively affect organizations and create

relaxed drug testing procedures that enhance employee hiring and employee retention

(Weaver, 2022). Dedicating time to quality, Americans from different organizations feel

that uses of cannabis should not hinder their employment chances and is not an accurate

correlation of cognitive abilities (Hansen et al., 2020). Therefore, the desire to legally

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 3

enjoy cannabis has intensified to unimaginable levels. Ultimately, decriminalization of

cannabis may seem inevitable, but negotiations have remained ongoing as to when

decriminalization will ultimately occur.

Limiting Cannabis use amongst American Citizens

Although employees have differing satisfaction levels within working

environments across the United States, cannabis’s legalization is an ongoing

interpersonal conflict between American Citizens and the Federal Government. Despite

research suggesting cannabis has medical benefits, those opposed to the enjoyment and

legalization of cannabis cite that heightened uses of other dangerous substances would

inevitably occur because of its affiliation as a gateway drug (Adinoff & Cooper, 2019).

Currently, the federal government has refused to fully legalize cannabis (Weaver, 2022).

An incremental strategy that allows state-by-state adoption was a strategy sought after to

provide immediate success. Unfortunately, voters, lawmakers, and government officials

have been unable to decide on legalizing cannabis in a unified manner (Rychert &

Wilkins, 2020).

Cannabis use and employment eligibility

For organizations of different shapes and sizes, there is an obligation to ensure

their workplace environment is hazard free. Routine drug tests succeed in increasing

safety and productivity of employees in the workplace (Le & Palamar, 2020).

Employment drug testing helps organizations maintain discipline, professionalism, and

integrity in the workplace by ensuring influential drugs will not be a factor in decision

making limitations. Additionally, employment drug testing has become an important

process in organizational hiring practices as it helps to prevent drug abusers from joining

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 4

the organization (Le & Palamar, 2020). Within the legalization of cannabis, employees

operating under the influence of cannabis can be subjected to impairment checks at a

higher rate than those not under the influence. The United States Federal Government

should strive to request this employment accountability procedure while legalizing

cannabis in a manner where American citizens can enjoy the substance in ways like that

of tobacco or alcohol (Chaney et al., 2020).

Although drug testing intentions are not specific, random drug testing in the

workplace is an invasive protocol that should not include testing for cannabis. In addition

to invading personal privacy, random drug testing in the workplace is also often

inaccurate (Le & Palamar, 2020). American citizens strongly believe employees should

be free to use cannabis at their leisure in a manner like tobacco or alcohol if they are

using it responsibly (Chaney et al., 2020). As random drug testing procedures invade

personal privacy with inaccurate test results, employees should be able to enjoy cannabis

at their leisure without penalty if they are working effectively, being a positive part of the

business, or if they have a prescribed medication. Legalizing Cannabis is a necessary step

for the United States Federal Government to further eliminate discriminatory hiring

practices and promote economic growth (Le & Palamar, 2020).

Unsuccessful Cannabis Legalization Strategies

When it was first proposed to legalize the possession of cannabis, the ability to do

so seemed straightforward and promising. To successfully legalize the substance

however, compromising strategies towards taxing and regulating the marketplace in

which cannabis would reside have been unsuccessful (Adams, 2019). American citizens

strongly believe employees should be free to use cannabis at their leisure in a manner like

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 5

tobacco or alcohol if they are using it responsibly (Chaney et al., 2020). Dissimilar to

alcohol and tobacco regulation, cannabis has an inherent exposure on the black market

that makes legally buying the substance harder to establish, regulate, and agree upon

across different states (Adinoff & Cooper, 2019).

As a result of black-market influences, the likelihood of cannabis entering the

possession of minors is heightened while tax law agreements between consumers and

suppliers are avoided (Adams, 2019). Instead of subsiding due to rumors regarding the

legalization of Cannabis at the federal level, black market influences have strengthened to

take advantage of ambiguous cannabis distribution streams (Chaney et al., 2020).

Additionally, forecasted revenue from cannabis transactions were severely under

expectation due to consumer and supplier tax evasion. From the consumer perspective,

the black market offers cannabis at a cheaper rate than what legally regulated chains

could provide (Adams, 2019). The compromising strategy to tax and regulate cannabis

has been unsuccessful, while failing to meet critical objectives related to economic

stimulation and decreased crime (Adams, 2019).

Legalizing cannabis at the federal level has faced setbacks due to different states

having different opinions as to the way it should be possessed (Adinoff & Cooper, 2019).

Currently, the federal government has refused to fully legalize cannabis (Weaver, 2022).

The inefficiency of differing state regulations has created a plethora of underhanded

cannabis acquisition options for the consumer and a nightmare for marketplaces to legally

regulate. As a result, consumers traveling from Las Vegas to Florida could be subjected

to significant law liability differences related to cannabis possession, consumption, and

regulation (Adinoff & Cooper, 2019). The compromising strategy to tax and regulate the

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 6

marketplace in which cannabis would reside has been unsuccessful, while failing to meet

critical objectives related to economic stimulation and decreased crime (Adams, 2019).

Online transactive insight to resolve interpersonal conflict

Acting as an intermediary among the parties by providing new insights to resolve

the conflict between the United States Federal Government’s refusal to legalize cannabis

for American citizens, a new insight into resolving the interpersonal conflict is allowing

cannabis to only be legally purchased via online transactions. Within the late 20th and

early 21st century, internet capabilities have accelerated with an emphasis placed on

online shopping and online purchases (Adelson, 2020). This concept can be applied to the

purchase of cannabis with an understanding that a high percentage of American citizens

already have a prescribed medication allowing them to purchase cannabis online and

have it delivered to their home address in a timely manner. This action would be superior

to those tried before by addressing roadblocks previously associated with taxing and

regulating the marketplace in which cannabis would reside. Politically, laws and

regulations already exist that cover the Federal Government’s involvement in online

transactions. Specifically, a call to action referred to as the Commerce Clause allows the

Federal Government the authority to oversee online transactive activities (Roger, 2020).

An interchange of goods is the basic definition of Commerce. Under the umbrella

of Commerce, Intrastate Commerce occurs whenever transactions occur within one state

whereas Interstate Commerce refers to transactions occurring in other states (Roger,

2020). The combination of the legal qualification to purchase cannabis via online

transaction, and the technicalities included in the Commerce Clause, will resolve

roadblocks previously associated with the inefficiency of differing marketplace and tax

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 7

regulations. The compromising strategy to tax and regulate the marketplace in which

cannabis would reside has been unsuccessful, while failing to meet critical objectives

related to economic stimulation and decreased crime (Adams, 2019). A call to action

referred to as the Commerce Clause allows the Federal Government the authority to

oversee online transactive activities, while creating a compromise while cannabis

possession can be qualifiable and legalized with respect to the Patriot Act.

Defined as a law enacted originally as a response to cyber security attacks, the

Patriot Act allows multi-level federal agencies clearance in utilizing surveillance

measures within all electronic communications (Sales, 2010). As an additional layer of

protection utilized by the federal government in regulating the circulation of drugs of all

kinds, components of the Patriot Act are referenced. Federal legalization of cannabis is an

ongoing issue in the United States (Weaver, 2022). Despite legislators in Congress

proposing cannabis-related bills including the Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and

Expungement (MORE) Act and the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act, different

states have acknowledged the Patriot Act within pharmaceutical conversation. This legal

manner will aid in the legal possession of cannabis by detailing each cannabis transaction

and ensuring it is properly reported on taxes. From the consumer perspective, the black

market offers cannabis at a cheaper rate than what legally regulated chains could provide

(Adams, 2019). Currently, the compromising strategy to tax and regulate cannabis has

been unsuccessful, while failing to meet critical objectives related to economic

stimulation and decreased crime (Adams, 2019). Utilizing the Patriot Act as cannabis is

legally purchased will address economic endeavors by allowing the Federal Government

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 8

the ability to stimulate the economy while preventing cannabis transactions from being

undetected.

Legalizing cannabis at the federal level has faced setbacks due to different states

having different opinions as to the way it should be possessed (Adinoff & Cooper, 2019).

Universally, all states acknowledge the advantages of online drug transactive services.

Those opposed to the enjoyment and legalization of cannabis specifically cite that

heightened uses of substances increase public health risks by providing dangerous

medications that do not have enforceable regulations (Adinoff & Cooper, 2019). To

ensure online transactions regarding cannabis purchases are properly regulated, those

distributing cannabis will also be required to provide transaction records to the Federal

Government. Abnormal purchases will be flagged for review and transactional records

will be cross examined via background checks. Once cannabis is delivered, the use and

distribution of the substance will be subjected to possession laws governed by the state in

which the American citizen resides, with users not possessing an online transaction

record liable for harsh penalties. By qualifying for a transaction record of online cannabis

purchases, American citizens are protected from Federal government violations and the

Federal Government can monitor the transaction history of each consumer.

Tax break insight to resolve interpersonal conflict

An additional insight into resolving the interpersonal conflict between the United

States Federal Government’s refusal to legalize cannabis for American citizens is to

lessen the tax ramifications American citizens face for tax evasion. As a result of black-

market influences, the likelihood of cannabis entering the possession of minors is

heightened while tax law agreements between consumers and suppliers are avoided

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 9

(Adams, 2019). Allowing the substance to only be purchased via online transaction

qualification helps eliminate cannabis falling into the hands of minors, while creating a

transaction record the Federal Government has access to. Lessening tax ramifications for

determined tax evasion will create additional comfort amongst cannabis users while

decreasing the intent of tax evasion. This action would be superior to those tried before

by addressing roadblocks previously associated with taxing and regulating the

marketplace in which cannabis would reside. From the consumer perspective, the black

market offers cannabis at a cheaper rate than what legally regulated chains could provide

(Adams, 2019). With tax laws siding more with the consumer in terms of cannabis

transactions while being less severe of overall tax evasion, legalizing the use of cannabis

while being less severe on the way taxes are assessed can be beneficial for all parties

involved in terms of eliminating black market tax havens.

Tax havens are attractive to individuals because they can effectively evade tax

systems that enforce tax penalties and out-of-pocket expenses. To avoid paying taxes on

their income, tax havens are an illegal alternative that allows individuals to maintain

higher lines of income and stronger ways to hide money from the U.S. government

(Kolstad & Wiig, 2019). Because of tax evader methods of operation and high evasion

rates, the U.S. government has chosen to crack down on the use of tax haven accounts

and encourage tax evaders to come forward through an amnesty program ranging from

six months to a year (IRS, 2012). As part of the compromise towards legalizing cannabis

at the federal level, loosening tax penalties in the form of amnesty programs will help

transition cannabis into streamlined purchasing outlets such as online retailers.

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 10

Within the amnesty tax evasion program, tax evaders can declare any untaxed

illegal account within a predetermined deadline while avoiding criminal prosecution

(IRS, 2012). Since the Federal Government has adopted their amnesty programs, the

amount of tax evasion within the United States has dropped (Bundrick, 2014). Although

employees have differing satisfaction levels within working environments across the

United States, cannabis’s legalization is an ongoing interpersonal conflict between

American Citizens and the Federal Government. America, whose companies face one of

the world’s highest corporate-tax rates on their worldwide income, also has some of the

most energetic tax-avoiders (Kolstad & Wiig, 2019). To further address these issues, the

Federal Government can lower corporate tax rates to give organizations more incentive to

higher employees despite questionable drug use records.

As the United States Federal Government strives to ensure employment

accountability procedures while legalizing cannabis in a manner where American citizens

can enjoy the substance legally, the tax evasion crackdown means that companies will not

be incentivized to participate in tax evasion techniques. In addition, a lowered tax rate on

corporate financials would help ease pressure off tax-avoiders while stimulating the

economy due to the disposable income that would become available (Kolstad & Wiig,

2019). The existence of tax havens puts pressure on other countries to keep their taxes

low. The secrecy associated with tax havens has encouraged money laundering, created

offshore bank accounts, and incorrect accounting measures resulting in a damaged

financial infrastructure (Elbra et al., 2019).

With tax laws siding more with the consumer in terms of the inclusion of cannabis

transactions while being less severe of overall tax evasion, legalizing the use of cannabis

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 11

can be beneficial for all parties involved by being less severe on the way taxes are

assessed. The crackdown on tax evaders shows that taxpayers need to be more aware of

their actions and realize that the risk is no longer worth the reward. Taking advantage of

the current tax evasion amnesty program is a worthwhile decision that the Federal

Government is making clear in their efforts to monitor income flows of all shapes and

sizes (Bundrick, 2014). By qualifying for a transaction record of online cannabis

purchases, American citizens are protected from complex tax reporting penalties and the

Federal Government can monitor the transaction history of each consumer.

Conclusion

The use of cannabis has evolved over the past twenty-five years into a landscape

that has medical benefits for consumers while being an economic booster across multiple

platforms. Currently, there is interpersonal conflict within American citizens regarding

cannabis possession and the United States Federal Government’s refusal to legalize the

substance (Weaver, 2022). Those opposed to the possession of cannabis cite that because

cannabis is affiliated with a gateway drug, heightened uses of other dangerous substances

would inevitably occur if cannabis was fully legalized (Adinoff & Cooper, 2019). Acting

as an intermediary among the parties by providing new insights to resolve the conflict

between the United States Federal Government’s refusal to legalize cannabis for

American citizens, insights into resolving the interpersonal conflict between the United

States Federal Government’s refusal to legalize cannabis for American citizens begin

with allowing cannabis to only be purchased via online transaction qualification. This

action would be superior to those tried before by addressing roadblocks previously

associated with taxing and regulating the marketplace in which cannabis would reside.

Cannabis Legalization; Employee Workforce vs U.S. 12

As a result of black-market influences, the likelihood of cannabis entering the

possession of minors is heightened while tax law agreements between consumers and

suppliers are avoided (Adams, 2019). Allowing the substance to only be purchased via

online transaction qualification helps eliminate cannabis falling into the hands of minors,

while creating a transaction record the Federal Government has access to. An additional

insight into resolving the interpersonal conflict between the United States Federal

Government’s refusal to legalize cannabis for American citizens is to lessen the tax

ramifications American citizens face for tax evasion. With tax laws siding more with the

consumer in terms of cannabis transactions while being less severe of overall tax evasion,

legalizing the use of cannabis while being less severe on the way taxes are assessed can

be beneficial for all parties involved in terms of eliminating black market tax havens.

Legalizing Cannabis is a necessary step for the United States Federal Government

to further eliminate discriminatory hiring practices and promote economic growth.

Employment drug testing can be utilized to ensure cannabis is enjoyed responsibility,

despite transitioning from an illegal substance to a legal substance (Le & Palamar, 2020).

Currently, the compromising strategy to tax and regulate cannabis has been unsuccessful,

while failing to meet critical objectives related to economic stimulation and decreased

crime (Adams, 2019). Despite the currently failed compromising strategies to tax and

regulate the marketplace in which cannabis resides, negotiations have remained ongoing

as to when decriminalization will ultimately occur. Acting as an intermediary among the

parties to resolve the conflict between the United States Federal Government’s refusal to

legalize cannabis for American citizens, it is a hope that the newly proposed insights

provide a resolution all parties involved can finally agree upon.

References

Adams, M. (2019). Reasons Marijuana Legalization Seems to Be Failing. VIBE.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeadams/2019/11/05/reasons-marijuana-

legalization-seems-to-be-failing/?sh=b96d537eba03

Adelson, K. (2020). How to See a Doctor and Get a Prescription Online. The Strategist.

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-telemedicine-online-prescription-

services.html.

Adinoff, B., & Cooper, Z. (2019). Cannabis legalization: progress in harm reduction

approaches for substance use and misuse. The American journal of drug and

abuse,(6), 707-712.

Brant, K., & Castro, S. (2019). You can’t ignore millennials: Needed changes and a new

way forward in entitlement research. Human Resource Management Journal, 29:

527-538.

Bundrick, H. (2014). IRS Cracks Down on Offshore Tax Havens.

https://www.mainstreet.com/article/irs-cracks-down-offshore-tax-havens

Chaney, A., Hammond, C., Hendrickson, B., & Sharma, P. (2020). Cannabis use among

U.S. adolescents in the era of cannabis legalization: a review of changing use

patterns, comorbidity, and health correlates. International Review of Psychiatry,

32:(3), 221-234.

Elbra, A., Mikler, J., & Murphy-Gregory, H., (2019). Defending harmful tax practices:

mining companies ‘responses to the Australian Senate Inquiry into tax avoidance.

Australian journal of political science,(2), 238-254.

Hansen, B., Miller, K., & Weber, C. (2020). Early evidence on recreational cannabis

legalization and traffic fatalities. Economic Inquiry, 58:(2), 547-568.