Part of the Narrative: Generic News Frames in the U.S. Recreational Marijuana Policy Subsystem

Abstract

In the growing body of research on policy change and in the relatively new frontier of the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF), the components comprising narratives' structure are still under construction. One opportunity for additional research relates to examining the role of frames. This article examines generic news frames used to report on ballot initiatives legalizing recreational marijuana in three states and conceptually orients these frames within NPF. Using a mixed methods analysis, the findings suggest that in the emerging U.S. recreational marijuana legalization policy subsystem, setting helped explain reporters' use of certain generic frames. The findings provide support for the inclusion of generic frames as part of NPF's narrative theory, open up potential for new research designs, and further clarify media's role in the development of policy narratives. From a practical perspective, the analysis contributes insight into how media inform constituents about new marijuana laws.Related ArticlesCrow, Deserai A., Lydia A. Lawhon, John Berggren, Juhi Huda, Elizabeth Koebele, and Adrianne Kroepsch. 2017. “A Narrative Policy Framework Analysis of Wildfire Policy Discussions in two Colorado Communities.” Politics & Policy 45 (4): 626‐656. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12207Fisk, Jonathan M., Joseph A. Vonasek, and Elvis Davis. 2018. “‘Pot’reneurial Politics: The Budgetary Highs and Lows of Recreational Marijuana Policy Innovation.” Politics & Policy 46 (2): 189‐208. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12246O'Donovan, Kristin Taylor. 2018. “Does the Narrative Policy Framework Apply to Local Policy Issues?” Politics & Policy 46 (4): 532‐570. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12265