Researchers created a comprehensive dataset categorizing all 50 US states' cannabis policies from 1994 to 2023 into three dimensions: pharmaceutical, permissive, and fiscal, revealing that legalization is far more nuanced than a simple yes-or-no.
Cannabis policy researchers; public health scholars studying legalization effects; state legislators designing cannabis regulations
36 policy indicators across 50 states, 1994-2023
What the researchers found
Using 36 dichotomous policy indicators, factor analysis confirmed three distinct policy dimensions across US states: pharmaceutical (medical access rules), permissive (recreational and personal use rules), and fiscal (taxation and revenue structures). Scores range from 0 to 100 for each dimension, capturing both between-state variation and within-state changes over time.
Why it matters
Most cannabis research treats legalization as binary (legal or not), which misses enormous variation in how states actually regulate cannabis. This dataset lets researchers study whether specific policy designs -- not just legalization itself -- affect health, crime, and social outcomes.
The numbers in context
50 states tracked; 1994-2023 time span; 36 policy indicators; 3 policy bundles (pharmaceutical, permissive, fiscal); 12 policies per bundle; scores scaled 0-100
How the study worked
Policy dataset construction covering all 50 states from 1994-2023. 36 binary policy indicators grouped into three bundles of 12 policies each via factor analysis. Scores transformed to 0-100 scale. Two datasets produced: raw indicators and composite bundle scores.
What this study cannot tell us
Policy indicators are dichotomous (yes/no), which may miss gradations within individual policies. Annual snapshots may miss mid-year policy changes. Does not capture enforcement variation or local/municipal policies.
How to read the evidence
Well-constructed research dataset with factor analysis validation, though the utility depends on how future studies use it.
When this study was published
Published in 2025 covering data through 2023.
The bigger picture
This is a research infrastructure contribution. By capturing policy nuance, it should improve the quality of future studies examining what happens after states legalize cannabis -- moving beyond "did they legalize?" to "how did they legalize?"
Questions still open
- Which policy bundle configuration is associated with the best public health outcomes? Do pharmaceutical, permissive, and fiscal dimensions evolve independently or together? How do municipal-level policies interact with state-level bundles?
Common questions
What are the three policy bundles?
Why does this matter for cannabis research?
Read the original research
US State Cannabis Policy Bundles Dataset.
Scientific data, 12(1), 971
Citation
Richardson, Lilliard E; Mallinson, Daniel J; Altaf, Shazib; Neeley, Grant. (2025). US State Cannabis Policy Bundles Dataset.. Scientific data, 12(1), 971. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05284-2