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Recreational cannabis laws and opioid‐related emergency department visit rates

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  • Coleman Drake
  • Jiebing Wen
  • Jesse Hinde
  • Hefei Wen

Abstract

The opioid epidemic in the United States has accelerated during the COVID‐19 pandemic. As of 2021, roughly a third of Americans now live in a state with a recreational cannabis law (RCL). Recent evidence indicates RCLs could be a harm reduction tool to address the opioid epidemic. Individuals may use cannabis to manage pain, as well as to relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms, though it does not directly treat opioid use disorder. It is thus unclear whether RCLs are an effective policy tool to reduce adverse opioid‐related health outcomes. In this study, we examine the impact of RCLs on a key opioid‐related adverse health outcome: opioid‐related emergency department (ED) visit rates. We estimate event study models using nearly comprehensive ED data from 29 states from 2011 to 2017. We find that RCLs reduce opioid‐related ED visit rates by roughly 7.6% for two quarters after implementation. These effects are driven by men and adults aged 25–44. These effects dissipate after 6 months. Our estimates indicate RCLs did not increase opioid‐related ED visits. We conclude that, while cannabis liberalization may offer some help in curbing the opioid epidemic, it is likely not a panacea.

Suggested Citation

  • Coleman Drake & Jiebing Wen & Jesse Hinde & Hefei Wen, 2021. "Recreational cannabis laws and opioid‐related emergency department visit rates," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(10), pages 2595-2605, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:30:y:2021:i:10:p:2595-2605
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4377
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johanna Catherine Maclean & Justine Mallatt & Christopher J. Ruhm & Kosali Simon, 2020. "Economic Studies on the Opioid Crisis: A Review," NBER Working Papers 28067, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Alex Hollingsworth & Coady Wing & Ashley C. Bradford, 2022. "Comparative Effects of Recreational and Medical Marijuana Laws on Drug Use among Adults and Adolescents," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65(3), pages 515-554.
    3. Chelsea L. Shover & Corey S. Davis & Sanford C. Gordon & Keith Humphreys, 2019. "Association between medical cannabis laws and opioid overdose mortality has reversed over time," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 116(26), pages 12624-12626, June.
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    8. Jiebing Wen & Hefei Wen & J. S. Butler & Jeffery C. Talbert, 2021. "The impact of medical and recreational marijuana laws on opioid prescribing in employer‐sponsored health insurance," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(5), pages 989-1000, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zahra Mojtahedi & Ying Guo & Pearl Kim & Parsa Khawari & Hailey Ephrem & Jay J. Shen, 2023. "Mental Health Conditions– and Substance Use—Associated Emergency Department Visits during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nevada, USA," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, March.

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