GETTING INTO THE WEEDS: DOES LEGAL MARIJUANA ACCESS BLUNT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN COLLEGE?

This paper examines the effect of legal access to marijuana on student performance stemming from a voter‐approved initiative legalizing marijuana for those 21 and older in the State of Washington. Using panel data from a medium‐sized public university, we use a within‐student and within‐class estima...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Economic Inquiry Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 607 - 624
Main Authors:	Wright, Adam C., Krieg, John M.
Format:	Article
Published:	Wiley-Blackwell Apr2020
Subjects:	Marijuana legalization Academic achievement Universities & colleges Cognitive ability Weeds
Online Access:	View this record in EBSCOhost

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Summary:	This paper examines the effect of legal access to marijuana on student performance stemming from a voter‐approved initiative legalizing marijuana for those 21 and older in the State of Washington. Using panel data from a medium‐sized public university, we use a within‐student and within‐class estimator to show that legalization reduces students' grades, with an effect size about one‐half the impact of gaining legal access to alcohol. Consistent with how marijuana consumption affects cognitive functioning, we find that students' grades fall furthest in courses that require more quantitative skills. These effects are largely driven by men and low performers.