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Economic Benefits and Social Costs of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

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Abstract
We analyze the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana on state economic and social outcomes (2000–20) using difference-in-differences estimation robust to staggered timing and heterogeneity of treatment. We find moderate economic gains accompanied by some social costs. Post-legalization, average state income grew by 3 percent, house prices by 6 percent, and population by 2 percent. However, substance use disorders, chronic homelessness, and arrests increased by 17, 35, and 13 percent, respectively. Although some of our estimates are noisy, our findings suggest that the economic benefits of legalization are broadly distributed, while the social costs may be more concentrated among individuals who use marijuana heavily. States that legalized early experienced similar social costs but larger economic gains, implying a potential first-mover advantage.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason Brown & Elior Cohen & Alison Felix, 2023. "Economic Benefits and Social Costs of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana," Research Working Paper RWP 23-10, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedkrw:97175
    DOI: 10.18651/RWP2023-10
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chu, Yu-Wei Luke & Townsend, Wilbur, 2019. "Joint culpability: The effects of medical marijuana laws on crime," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 502-525.
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    3. Johanna Catherine Maclean & Keshar M. Ghimire & Lauren Hersch Nicholas, 2021. "Marijuana legalization and disability claiming," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 453-469, February.
    4. Dragone, Davide & Prarolo, Giovanni & Vanin, Paolo & Zanella, Giulio, 2019. "Crime and the legalization of recreational marijuana," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 488-501.
    5. Diego Zambiasi & Steven Stillman, 2020. "The Pot Rush: Is Legalized Marijuana A Positive Local Amenity?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(2), pages 667-679, April.
    6. Jesse Burkhardt & Matthew Flyr, 2019. "The Effect Of Marijuana Dispensary Openings On Housing Prices," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 37(3), pages 462-475, July.
    7. Alison Felix & Samantha Shampine, 2022. "Marijuana Industry Has Boosted Economic Activity in the Tenth Federal Reserve District," Economic Bulletin, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, issue October 6, pages 1-4, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    marijuana; Cannabis; social costs; State Revenue; government policy; Tax revenue; legalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • R52 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Land Use and Other Regulations

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