Medical marijuana laws, traffic fatalities, and alcohol consumption

Arbeitspapier

To date, 16 states have passed medical marijuana laws, yet very little is known about their effects. Using state-level data, we examine the relationship between medical marijuana laws and a variety of outcomes. Legalization of medical marijuana is associated with increased use of marijuana among adults, but not among minors. In addition, legalization is associated with a nearly 9 percent decrease in traffic fatalities, most likely to due to its impact on alcohol consumption. Our estimates provide strong evidence that marijuana and alcohol are substitutes.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 6112

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Health, Education, and Welfare: General
• Subject: medical marijuana ; traffic fatalities ; alcohol consumption ; Drogenkonsum ; Medizin ; Alkoholkonsum ; Produktsubstitution ; Straßenverkehrsunfall ; USA

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Anderson, D. Mark ; Rees, Daniel I.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2011

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/58536
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-201111303449
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET