The Impact of Cancer Cases, Marijuana possession Arrests, and Opioid Deaths on Cannabis Policies in the United States: A Logistic Regression Study
Date
2022-09-14
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Journal of Public Health Research
Abstract
Recreational cannabis is currently legal in nineteen states and the District of Columbia. The history of each states pathway for passing laws codifying fully legal status varies greatly across the United States. A study was conducted with the aim of identifying factors that significantly impact a states fully legal status on cannabis employing a logistic regression design. Independent factors analyzed included the marijuana possession arrest rate (MPAR), new cancer cases, and opioid overdose rate. All data were from 2010 to assess if these factors impacted passage of laws approving recreational cannabis, as all such laws were passed after 2010. The dependent variable was dichotomous toward fully legal status or not fully legal status in states. Results showed statistically significance with the MPAR variable (P<.05). The opioid over dose rate and cancer cases did not yield statistically significant results. Consistent with the federalist system, select state legislatures have made the decision to pass laws regarding recreational cannabis propelled by public support when cannabis is still illegal under federal law. This paper delineates both recreational cannabis and medical cannabis laws, and provides salient discussion on variables analyzed and ideas for future policy studies.
Description
This article was originally published in American Journal of Public Health Research. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.12691/ajphr-10-4-4
Keywords
recreational cannabis, decriminalization, medical marijuana
Citation
Hughes, V. C. (2022). The Impact of Cancer Cases, Marijuana possession Arrests, and Opioid Deaths on Cannabis Policies in the United States: A Logistic Regression Study. American Journal of Public Health Research, 10(4), 154-162.