Post by rubl on Mar 23, 2019 10:25:09 GMT 7
To some maybe no surprise 
Revised version from March 2018
Abstract
Older adults have the highest rates of many health conditions for which medical marijuana may
be effective in moderating symptoms and are at elevated risk of reducing labor supply due to poor
health. Surprisingly little is known about how this group responds to medical marijuana laws. We
provide the first estimates of the effects of state medical marijuana laws on the health and labor
supply of adults age 51 and older, focusing on those with medical conditions that may respond to
medical marijuana. We use longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study to study these
questions using differences-in-differences regression models. Three principle findings emerge
from our analysis. First, we document that medical marijuana law passage leads to reductions in
chronic pain and improvements in self-assessed health among older adults. Second, we show that
passage of a state medical marijuana law leads to increases in older adult labor supply, with
effects concentrated on the intensive margin. Third, effects are largest among older adults with a
health condition that would qualify for legal medical marijuana use under current state laws.
Findings highlight the role of health policy in supporting work among older adults.
www.nber.org/papers/w22688.pdf
Revised version from March 2018
Abstract
Older adults have the highest rates of many health conditions for which medical marijuana may
be effective in moderating symptoms and are at elevated risk of reducing labor supply due to poor
health. Surprisingly little is known about how this group responds to medical marijuana laws. We
provide the first estimates of the effects of state medical marijuana laws on the health and labor
supply of adults age 51 and older, focusing on those with medical conditions that may respond to
medical marijuana. We use longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study to study these
questions using differences-in-differences regression models. Three principle findings emerge
from our analysis. First, we document that medical marijuana law passage leads to reductions in
chronic pain and improvements in self-assessed health among older adults. Second, we show that
passage of a state medical marijuana law leads to increases in older adult labor supply, with
effects concentrated on the intensive margin. Third, effects are largest among older adults with a
health condition that would qualify for legal medical marijuana use under current state laws.
Findings highlight the role of health policy in supporting work among older adults.
www.nber.org/papers/w22688.pdf
