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Higher education: The impact of recreational marijuana on college applications

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  • Christopher D. Blake
  • Danna Kang Thomas
  • Joshua Hess

Abstract

Using a two‐way fixed effects difference‐in‐differences model, we investigate the effects of local recreational marijuana (RMJ) policy changes on college applications and find that the three largest state public schools reaped, on average, an almost 54% increase in applications. This increase does not appear to come solely from low‐ability students as both first and third quartiles of admitted student composite SAT scores to the largest three public schools do not decrease. Rather, they both increase by almost 3.8% though these estimates are not statistically significant. Robust difference‐in‐difference and event study models support the signs and magnitudes of these gains and show they diminish over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher D. Blake & Danna Kang Thomas & Joshua Hess, 2024. "Higher education: The impact of recreational marijuana on college applications," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 42(2), pages 259-277, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:42:y:2024:i:2:p:259-277
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12633
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    References listed on IDEAS

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