Cannabis Regulations and Crime: A Meta-Analysis

María Castillo Cuello (), Cecilia Suescún Salazar (), Michael Weintraub () and Lucas Marín-Llanes ()
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María Castillo Cuello: Universidad de los Andes
Cecilia Suescún Salazar: Universidad de los Andes
Michael Weintraub: Universidad de los Andes
Lucas Marín-Llanes: Northwestern University
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Lucas Marín Llanes

No 21369, Documentos CEDE from Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE

Abstract: Does regulating cannabis markets reduce crime? We conduct a systematic review and metaanalysis of causal inference studies addressing this question. Applying strict inclusion criteria to an initial pool of 31 studies, we synthesize estimates from nine papers. We propose a formal framework linking cannabis regulations to crime through reductions in illicit market size, criminal rents, and violence associated with illegal contract enforcement, as well as through increased police resource reallocation and public health interventions. Our meta-analytic estimates show that cannabis regulations—especially for medical use—reduce overall crime, with effects concentrated in violent offenses. We also document heterogeneity by publication status, suggesting potential publication bias. These findings imply that reforms to cannabis regulations may reduce violence and weaken organized crime.

Keywords: meta-analysis; cannabis; crime; drugs; security (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H41 H75 K14 K23 K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 48 pages
Date: 2025-05-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea, nep-lam and nep-law
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:col:000089:021369

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