The Effect of Marijuana Medicalization on Violent and Property Crime

• In Event: Synthetic Control Group Methodology and the Effects Marijuana Medicalization in California

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact of medical marijuana legalization on crime in California
using Synthetic Control Group methods. A synthetic control group is constructed to
approximate California had it not medicalized marijuana. The state of California is designated as the treatment group, and states that have not passed similar legislation form the donor pool from which the control group is constructed. Overall, results show medical marijuana laws have a negative effect on crime. Results and implications for specific violent and property crime types are discussed.

Authors

• Matthew Renner, University of California, Irvine

• Michelle D Mioduszewski, University of California, Irvine