Southern Nevada is an emerging epicenter for the cannabis industry with roughly $1 billion in annual legal cannabis sales. UNLV established the Cannabis Policy Institutite to address the research and scholarship behind this fast-growing and highly watched public policy topic; the institute will provide leadership by fostering an understanding of the complex issues surrounding cannabis legalization while being mindful of the disparate impacts of past practices and the importance of social equity and justice going forward. Through education and outreach efforts to lawmakers, industry leaders, and the public, the institute will be an invaluable resource for local, state, and national communities.