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Is Legal Pot Crippling Mexican Drug Trafficking Organisations? The Effect of Medical Marijuana Laws on US Crime

Author

Listed:
  • Evelina Gavrilova
  • Takuma Kamada
  • Floris Zoutman

Abstract

We show that the introduction of medical marijuana laws (MMLs) leads to a decrease in violent crime in states that border Mexico. The reduction in crime is strongest for counties close to the border (less than 350 kilometres) and for crimes that relate to drug trafficking. In addition, we find that MMLs in inland states lead to a reduction in crime in the nearest border state. Our results are consistent with the theory that decriminalisation of the production and distribution of marijuana leads to a reduction in violent crime in markets that are traditionally controlled by Mexican drug trafficking organisations.

Suggested Citation

  • Evelina Gavrilova & Takuma Kamada & Floris Zoutman, 2019. "Is Legal Pot Crippling Mexican Drug Trafficking Organisations? The Effect of Medical Marijuana Laws on US Crime," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 129(617), pages 375-407.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:econjl:v:129:y:2019:i:617:p:375-407.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/ecoj.12521
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    JEL classification:

    • H00 - Public Economics - - General - - - General
    • K00 - Law and Economics - - General - - - General (including Data Sources and Description)
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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