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Early History of Cannabis Use in Amsterdam

Author

Listed:
  • Jan C. van Ours

    (Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Tinbergen Institute, The Netherlands; CEPR; Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School)

Abstract

Around 50 years ago, the Netherlands decriminalized cannabis for recreational use. This paper uses retrospective data on the ages at which individuals began and ceased cannabis use to reconstruct its prevalence in Amsterdam during the period surrounding the policy change. This approach enables a detailed analysis of the policy’s effects. The main conclusion is that the introduction of this policy did not lead to an increase in the prevalence of cannabis use.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan C. van Ours, 2025. "Early History of Cannabis Use in Amsterdam," Papers 2025-03, Centre for Health Economics, Monash University.
    • Handle: RePEc:mhe:chemon:2025-03
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Auriol, Emmanuelle & Mesnard, Alice & Perrault, Tiffanie, 2023. "Weeding out the dealers? The economics of cannabis legalization," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 216(C), pages 62-101.
    2. Ali Palali & Jan C. van Ours, 2015. "Distance to Cannabis Shops and Age of Onset of Cannabis Use," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(11), pages 1483-1501, November.
    3. Jan C. van Ours, 2006. "Dynamics in the use of drugs," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(12), pages 1283-1294, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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