November 2011

IZA DP No. 6112: Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption

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

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.