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Does Marijuana Use Impair Human Capital Formation?

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  • Rosalie Liccardo Pacula
  • Karen E. Ross
  • Jeanne Ringel

Abstract

In this paper we examine the relationship between marijuana use and human capital formation by examining performance on standardized tests among a nationally representative sample of youths from the National Education Longitudinal Survey. We find that much of the negative association between cross-sectional measures of marijuana use and cognitive ability appears to be attenuated by individual differences in school attachment and general deviance. However, difference-in-difference estimates examining changes in test scores across 10th and 12th grade reveal that marijuana use remains statistically associated with a 15% reduction in performance on standardized math tests.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosalie Liccardo Pacula & Karen E. Ross & Jeanne Ringel, 2003. "Does Marijuana Use Impair Human Capital Formation?," NBER Working Papers 9963, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:9963
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. van Ours, Jan C. & Williams, Jenny, 2009. "Why parents worry: Initiation into cannabis use by youth and their educational attainment," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 132-142, January.
    2. Carlos Casacuberta & Mariana Gerstenblüth & Patricia Triunfo, 2012. "Aportes del análisis económico al estudio de las drogas," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 0112, Department of Economics - dECON.
    3. Hjalmarsson, Randi, 2008. "Criminal justice involvement and high school completion," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(2), pages 613-630, March.
    4. Joseph J. Sabia, 2010. "Wastin’ Away In Margaritaville? New Evidence On The Academic Effects Of Teenage Binge Drinking," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 28(1), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Mohamed Abdallah Ali & Mazhar Mughal & Charles Kodjo Mawusi, 2021. "Does Khat Consumption Affect Work Performance ? A Micro-Perspective from Djibouti," Working papers of Transitions Energétiques et Environnementales (TREE) hal-03375659, HAL.
    6. Timothy R. Hodge & Cooper Hazel, 2022. "The munchies: Marijuana legalization and food sales in Washington," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 89(1), pages 112-137, July.
    7. Pinka Chatterji, 2006. "Illicit drug use and educational attainment," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(5), pages 489-511, May.
    8. Pudney, Stephen & Bryan, Mark & DelBono, Emilia, 2013. "Licensing and regulation of the cannabis market in England and Wales: Towards a cost-benefit analysis," MPRA Paper 50365, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Lionel Perini & Joachim Marti, 2013. "The impact of cannabis use on short-term educational outcomes," IRENE Working Papers 13-03, IRENE Institute of Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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