Graduation Year
2018
Date of Submission
12-2017
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Award
Robert Day School Prize for Best Senior Thesis in Economics and Finance
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Economics
Reader 1
David Bjerk
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2017 Steven R. Dickerson Jr.
Abstract
This paper analyzes the impact of the 2012 legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington State on opioid abuse. Using synthetic control methodology, this paper finds that the legislation prevented 638 overdose deaths and lead to over 3,600 individuals seeking treatment for opioid abuse disorders. Due to the large health, social, and economic impacts of the opioid epidemic, further research should be conducted into ways to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions, the number of opioid overdoses, and opioid abuse generally.
Recommended Citation
Dickerson, Steven, "The Effects of Recreational Marijuana Legislation on the Opioid Epidemic in Washington State" (2018). CMC Senior Theses. 1757.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/1757
