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Why Do Some People Want to Legalize Cannabis Use?

Author

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  • Williams, J.
  • van Ours, J.C.

    (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research)

  • Grossmann, M.

Abstract

Preferences and attitudes to illicit drug policy held by individuals are likely to be an important influence in the development of illicit drug policy. Amongst the key factors impacting on an individual?s preferences over substance use policy are their beliefs about the costs and benefits of drug use, their own drug use history, and the extent of drug use amongst their peers. We use data from the Australian National Drug Strategy's Household Surveys to study these preferences. We find that current use and past use of cannabis are a major determinants of being in favor of legalization. We also find that cannabis users are more in favor of legalization the longer they have used cannabis and, among past users, the more recent their own drug using experience. This may be reflecting the fact that experience with cannabis provides information about the costs and benefits of using this substance. We also find some evidence that peers use of cannabis impacts on preferences towards legalization.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Williams, J. & van Ours, J.C. & Grossmann, M., 2011. "Why Do Some People Want to Legalize Cannabis Use?," Discussion Paper 2011-007, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiucen:c7a7ddb4-dcd8-4be7-a0f6-a6946ee6b4c5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mayda, Anna Maria & Rodrik, Dani, 2005. "Why are some people (and countries) more protectionist than others?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(6), pages 1393-1430, August.
    2. van Ours, Jan C. & Williams, Jenny, 2007. "Cannabis prices and dynamics of cannabis use," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 578-596, May.
    3. van Ours, J.C. & Williams, J., 2007. "Why Parents Worry : Initiation into Cannabis use by Youth and their Educational Attainment," Other publications TiSEM 45702b85-d0c2-460b-8f1c-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. van Ours, Jan C. & Williams, Jenny, 2009. "Why parents worry: Initiation into cannabis use by youth and their educational attainment," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 132-142, January.
    5. Stephen Pudney, 2010. "Drugs policy: what should we do about cannabis? [Taxes, cigarette consumption and smoking intensity]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 25(61), pages 165-211.
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    9. Anne Line Bretteville-Jensen & Jenny Williams, 2011. "Decriminalization and Initiation into Cannabis Use," Department of Economics - Working Papers Series 1130, The University of Melbourne.
    10. Gary S. Becker & Kevin M. Murphy & Michael Grossman, 2006. "The Market for Illegal Goods: The Case of Drugs," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 114(1), pages 38-60, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. van Ours, J.C., 2011. "The Long and Winding Road to Cannabis Legalization," Other publications TiSEM ff2addb1-119e-4258-974a-8, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. van Ours, J.C., 2011. "The Long and Winding Road to Cannabis Legalization," Other publications TiSEM ff2addb1-119e-4258-974a-8, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    3. Stella M. Resko, 2014. "Public Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Adolescent Marijuana Use," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(1), pages 21582440135, January.
    4. Jenny Williams & Jan C. van Ours & Michael Grossman, 2016. "Attitudes to legalizing cannabis use," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(9), pages 1201-1216, September.
    5. Muhammad Salar Khan & Paul N. Thompson & Victor J. Tremblay, 2020. "Marijuana tax incidence, stockpiling, and cross-border substitution," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 27(1), pages 103-127, February.
    6. Benjamin Hansen & Keaton Miller & Caroline Weber, 2017. "Getting into the Weeds of Tax Invariance," NBER Working Papers 23632, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Palali, Ali, 2015. "Essays in health economics and labor economics," Other publications TiSEM 1116554e-6ca0-4a66-a36f-8, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cannabis use; drugs policy;

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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