The Effect of Medical Marijuana Laws on Occupational Related Fatalities

Abstract

This thesis examines the question of whether the legalization of medical marijuana has a positive or negative effect on the incidence of occupational fatalities. It hypothesizes that marijuana and alcohol are economic substitutes and that states that have passed medical marijuana laws will experience fewer occupational fatalities because marijuana use impairs reflexes and cognitive ability less dramatically than alcohol use, which is highly correlated with workplace injury fatalities. The research shows that there are large, statistically significant reductions in occupational fatalities for the age group of 25 to 44 year olds, an age demographic set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in states in which medical marijuana laws have been passed in comparison to states that have no such legislation. Additionally, the research shows that the occupational fatality event under the title “transportation accidents” experience statistically significant reductions in fatalities as well. Greater research is needed in this field to infer causation between marijuana legalization and increased workplace safety, but this thesis provides further evidence of alcohol and marijuana being substitute goods, leading to reductions in workplace fatalities.