Public policies that affect alcohol consumption and cannabis consumption can influence a range of health and social outcomes. Advances in scientific research on the effects of various alcohol and cannabis policies depend on well-measured indicators of these policies. Initiatives to provide reliable information on public policies relating to alcohol and cannabis must contend with the complexity of these policies. Laws, regulations, and jurisprudence address myriad aspects of beverage and cannabis production, packaging, transportation, marketing, taxation, sales, and consumption, as well as the financing and delivery of substance abuse treatment and preventive services. The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) web site (http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov) was created as an online resource to provide detailed information on a wide variety of alcohol-related policies in the United States at both state and federal levels as well as policy information regarding recreational use of cannabis. The information and resources available through the APIS are geared toward researchers and others interested in alcohol and other substance policy issues.