Media Framing and Public Opinion Effects in the Context of Medical Marijuana Legalization
Open Access
Author:
Shelton, Patrick
Area of Honors:
Political Science
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Christopher Witko, Thesis Supervisor Michael Barth Berkman, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Framing Media Framing Public Opinion Marijuana Medical Marijuana
Abstract:
This study examines the impact of media framing on public opinion about the issue of medical marijuana legalization. A case study of the legalization process in two states, this thesis depicts correlations between various types of frames and their respective effects on the level of support for legalization, measured through public polling results. While it is known that the media can be highly effective at influencing the public’s political attitudes, the salience of different frames, especially in the issue of medical marijuana legalization, has not previously been studied. This study determines correlations between the utilization of pro-legalization frames and increasing support for legalization, although the effectiveness of frames varies by level utilized and by state.
