25th Annual Student Research Conference
SB 420 - The Medical Marijuana Program Act:
A Critical Analysis of California's Medical Marijuana Law
Michael A. Baharaeen
Dr. Randy Hagerty, Faculty Mentor
In 1996, California became the first state in the country to decriminalize marijuana for medical use through a voter referendum known as Proposition 215. Subsequently, in 2004, the state legislature passed SB 420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act, which created a structure to help implement the 1996 ballot initiative. By using Jack Kingdon's "Policy Streams Model," it is possible to analyze SB 420 by using a model-based approach to policy. Though in general the model is very successful, it does not fit perfectly, nor should it or any other model. However, the explanatory power the the model gives helps better discern how the policy formulation process of SB 420 created the Medical Marijuana Program that is used across the entire state of California today.
Keywords: Medical Marijuana, SB 420, Public Policy, California, Policy Streams Model
Topic(s):Political Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 301-1
Location: VH 1320
Time: 1:00