Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption

D. Mark Anderson () and Daniel Rees
Additional contact information
D. Mark Anderson: Montana State University

No 6112, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: alcohol consumption; traffic fatalities; medical marijuana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I00 I1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 46 pages
Date: 2011-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

Published - published in: Journal of Law and Economics, 2013, 56 (2), 333-369

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Journal Article: Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption (2013)
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