Retrenchment
The concept of retrenchment, as described by both Paul Pierson and Jacob Hacker, is traditionally used to refer specifically efforts to roll back or otherwise undermine the benefits provided by the welfare state. But can it also be applied to help understand other sorts of policy changes?Write an essay that applies the concepts of drift, layering, conversion, and revision to the legality of marijuana use which, after all, is still illegal at the federal level. How have individual states and municipalities applied the various forms of retrenchment discussed by Hacker to rollback or otherwise undermine the prosecution of marijuana related offenses? How have the conditions discussed by Hacker that lead to different styles of retrenchment influenced state and local policy choices?After addressing these questions, draw a conclusion as to whether or not you think the concept of retrenchment provides a useful frame for understanding and discussing this issue. Either YesorNois an acceptable answer so be sure to explain why.
