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Dissertation
Consensus building surrounding controversial public policy issues: a case study of the city of Sacramento's process in developing a medical marijuana ordinance
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
06 Dec 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6030
Abstract
The arena of public policy is impacted by the effectiveness of the leadership to initiate and bring about changes in areas that have a direct bearing on its constituents, specifically in areas where issues are controversial in nature and cause a variety of concerns for opposing stakeholder groups in the same constituency. In a sea of change, the United States Attorney General announced in early 2009 a leniency in enforcement and prosecution in states where medical marijuana laws exist. As a result, many local government agencies in California experienced an immediate proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries (storefronts) beginning to operate illegally within their jurisdictions. Consequently, public officials have found themselves in uncharted water when attempting to navigate conflicting state and federal laws that govern marijuana use and distribution as well as the leadership skills required for bringing a multitude of stakeholder groups to consensus. Using a case-study model and using the researcher's internal knowledge of the issue and by conducting individual interviews with relevant stakeholders, this research study documented the leadership strategies and policymaking processes used by the City of Sacramento in developing its medical marijuana ordinance. The research methodology resulted in four major findings: (a) Leadership team, (b) Communication is key, (c) Outreach and dialogue, and (d) Education and understanding of the problem. Eight recommendations emerged to aid other local jurisdictions in developing and implementing controversial public policy issues. The recommendations are as follows: (a) ensure all stakeholders are represented and are engaged from the beginning, (b) maintain status quo among the leadership team, (c) create a task force that includes members from the various stakeholder groups, (d) provide reports and materials well in advance of public meetings, (e) early and consistent convergence between government authorities, (f) define roles between policymakers and staff, (g) policymakers must respect the public addressing them and allow for two-way communication throughout the public meetings, and (h) policymakers must show empathy and compassion. There are few local jurisdictions that have successfully implemented regulations to control the use and distribution of medical marijuana. These findings and recommendations are significant in that other local jurisdictions can benefit from the findings by implementing the results and recommendations contained in the study.
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Details
- Title
- Consensus building surrounding controversial public policy issues
- Creators
- Michelle Heppner - DU
- Contributors
- W. Edward Bureau (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6030; 991014632274704721