ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the unintended consequences of the legalization of recreational marijuana within the state of Colorado. Toward this end, we examine the impact of our intervention series on tax revenue from the sale of all varieties of liquors (beer, wine, and spirits) and the number of fatal motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol. The results from the interrupted time series analyses indicate the legalization of recreational marijuana significantly increased tax revenue from alcohol sales and the number of fatal motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol. The implications of these findings for the evaluation of social policy are discussed.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
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Mitchell B. Chamlin
Mitchell B. Chamlin is Professor of Criminal Justice at Texas State University. His current research focuses on the intended and unintended consequences of social policy initiatives. He has published over seventy five articles in peer-reviewed journals. Most recently, his work has appeared in Addiction, American Journal of Public Health, Deviant Behavior, and The Journal of Crime & Justice.