Heterogeneous health effects of medical marijuana legalization: Evidence from young adults in the United States
利用美国行为风险因素监测系统数据，采用双重差分法评估医用大麻法律对18-29岁年轻人健康的影响，发现严格监管的法律带来健康改善，且低教育、低收入、无保险者获益更多。
Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes is a longstanding debate. However, evidence of marijuana's health effects is limited, especially for young adults. We estimate the health impacts of medical marijuana laws (MML) in the U.S. among young adults aged 18-29 years using the difference-in-differences method and data from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System. We find that having MMLs with strict regulations generate health gains, but not in states with lax regulations. Our heterogeneity analysis results indicate that individuals with lower education attainments, with lower household income and without access to health insurance coverage gain more health benefits from MML with strict regulations than from MML with lax regulations. The findings suggest greater net health gains under strict controls concerning marijuana supply and access.