Scientists find that the legalization of of marijuana could generate higher numbers of employment in the workforce.
The recent study was conducted by researchers at San Diego State University and Bentley University, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), found that marijuana reform is a positive way to spike employment rates.
“Together, we conclude that legalization of recreational marijuana has, at most, muted effects on the economic well-being of working-age individuals,” they said.
The researchers say that their conducted study is the “first to explore the impact of recreational marijuana legalization (RML) on labor market outcomes of working-age individuals."
The report analyzed employment rates in states that have or haven't taken action on passing marijuana reform over the years, such as Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington.
Skeptics in the past have claimed that the legalization of marijuana could potentially have a negative impact on health and safety issues in the work place, which many predicted could eventually disrupt labor opportunities.
“Instead, our findings show some evidence that RML adoption is associated with small increases in adult employment in the agricultural sector, consistent with opening of a new licit market to produce and cultivate marijuana,” the study says. “Among early-adopting states, California, Colorado, and (to a lesser extent) Oregon saw boosts in agriculture work.”
The researchers also add that the legalization of marijuana could also become an alternative to other drugs such as opioids or excessive drinking, which could play in favor of the labor market due to some cases where recreational marijuana is used for health and physical wellness and stress reduction.
“Moreover, if legal access to marijuana induces substitution away from substances that have negative impacts on productivity, including opioids or heavier drinking, labor market outcomes may improve (or at least be no worse off),” the report continued. “In addition, if marijuana is effective at alleviating physical health ailments, relieving stress, or improving psychological health, such health improvements could generate positive labor market spillovers.”
