Project Title
Does Marijuana Legalization affect Birth Rates?
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Brooke Conaway
Abstract
According to the National Institute of Health, marijuana is the most used illicit drug in the United States. There is evidence that suggests the use of marijuana has contrasting effects on the body and fertility. Utilizing state-level birth rates obtained from the CDC and marijuana legalization data from 2003-2019, I estimate the effect legalizing recreational marijuana has on state-level birth rates. Previous studies have found conflicting results, both increases and decreases in birth rates. I found a decrease in birth rates once states legalized recreational marijuana, decreasing the birthrate by 0.944.
Does Marijuana Legalization affect Birth Rates?
According to the National Institute of Health, marijuana is the most used illicit drug in the United States. There is evidence that suggests the use of marijuana has contrasting effects on the body and fertility. Utilizing state-level birth rates obtained from the CDC and marijuana legalization data from 2003-2019, I estimate the effect legalizing recreational marijuana has on state-level birth rates. Previous studies have found conflicting results, both increases and decreases in birth rates. I found a decrease in birth rates once states legalized recreational marijuana, decreasing the birthrate by 0.944.