title: The effect of medical marijuana laws on crime: evidence from state panel data, 1990-2006.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Debate has surrounded the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes for decades. Some have argued medical marijuana legalization (MML) poses a threat to public health and safety, perhaps also affecting crime rates. In recent years, some U.S. states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, reigniting political and public interest in the impact of marijuana legalization on a range of outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relying on U.S. state panel data, we analyzed the association between state MML and state crime rates for all Part I offenses collected by the FBI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results did not indicate a crime exacerbating effect of MML on any of the Part I offenses. Alternatively, state MML may be correlated with a reduction in homicide and assault rates, net of other covariates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings run counter to arguments suggesting the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes poses a danger to public health in terms of exposure to violent crime and property crimes.
authors.affiliation: Program in Criminology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Program in Criminology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: TenEyck
authors.affiliation: Program in Criminology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.affiliation: Program in Criminology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, United States of America.
authors.forename: Tomislav V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Kovandzic
mesh_terms: D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D064086:Medical Marijuana