Comparative Effects of Recreational and Medical Marijuana Laws on Drug Use among Adults and Adolescents

Thirty-four states have medical marijuana laws, and 10 recreational laws. Little research compares how these two types of laws affect drug consumption in the general population or particular age groups. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, we find that increase past-year use by 25 percent among adults adolescents. In contrast, adult only 5 negligible effect on adolescent use. We also dispensaries are an important driver for 26 older. Our results suggest succeed mitigating (nonmedical) use, produce large increases population, underage may be problem with existing implementations