Understanding Local Control in the Wake of State Adult-Use Cannabis Liberalization: A Content Analysis of State Statutes

Much has been written about the unique Federalist aspects of cannabis legalization. However, there comparatively little published literature evolving state-local relationships regarding industry. In this paper, we examine relationship and ask: To what extent do local governments control production, distribution, or use recreational under state statutes? Did statutes empower restrict governments? How much variation exists among states? This study used content analysis with an inductive approach to answer these questions. Our results in paper speak both diversity structure related newer models governmental role that have spread recent decades. Some states empowered voters decide time, place, manner cannabis, while other more centralized functions instead chosen agencies exclusive authority license regulate legal market participants.