Because I Got High? Recreational Marijuana Legalization's Impact on Opioid Overdose Deaths

We examine the effect of recreational marijuana legalization (RML) on opioid overdose deaths. Using several event studies and a two‐way fixed‐effects, difference‐in‐differences approach adapted to the methods developed by Callaway and Sant'Anna, we find a consistent negative relationship betwee...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Southern economic journal
Main Authors:	Denkyirah, Elisha Kwaku, March, Raymond J., Rayamajhee, Veeshan, Yonk, Ryan M.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	09.10.2025
ISSN:	0038-4038, 2325-8012
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	We examine the effect of recreational marijuana legalization (RML) on opioid overdose deaths. Using several event studies and a two‐way fixed‐effects, difference‐in‐differences approach adapted to the methods developed by Callaway and Sant'Anna, we find a consistent negative relationship between RML and opioid overdose deaths. Our estimates show that RML is associated with a decrease of approximately 3.5 deaths per 100,000 individuals. We also find more significant treatment effects for states that implemented RML earlier. These findings remain consistent through a variety of robustness checks and provide insight for future opioid and marijuana policies.
ISSN:	0038-4038 2325-8012
DOI:	10.1002/soej.12797