Drug Policy Research Center Hot Topic: Marijuana Legalization

The RAND Drug Policy Research Center is a non-partisan research center dedicated to providing objective analysis and research to decisionmakers. We do not have an official policy position on marijuana reform and more generally RAND does not advocate for or against legislation at any level of government.

But for more than 25 years, RAND researchers have published articles and studies that will be useful for those making decisions about marijuana policy. Here we summarize some of these studies and provide links to the publications (some journal articles may require subscription). This is not an exhaustive list of RAND's marijuana-related publications and we encourage readers to visit http://dprc.rand.org for more information.

Featured Research How Big Is the U.S. Market for Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin, and Meth? Americans spent about $150 billion on cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine in 2016. The cannabis market was roughly the size of the cocaine and meth markets combined.

Books

Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know A crisp, clear, and comprehensive non-partisan primer, this book covers the risks and benefits of use, current trends, and marijuana laws around the world. The authors discuss the costs and benefits of legalization as well as possible policy options.

Cannabis Use and Dependence: Public Health and Public Policy Exploring the relationship between health policy, public health and the law regarding the controversial use of cannabis, this study assesses the impact of illegality in drug use and compares it with the policies of the U.S., Europe and Australia as well as other developed societies. Written by two leading drug advisors, the analysis contributes to an important field of research.

Drug War Heresies: Learning From Other Vices, Times, & Places This book provides the first multidisciplinary and nonpartisan analysis of how the United States should decide on the legal status of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. It draws on data about the experiences of Western European nations with less punitive drug policies as well as new analyses of America's experience with legal cocaine and heroin a century ago.

Policy and Law

Markets and Prices

Criminal Justice

Outcomes

Prevention and Interventions