States with Legal Recreational Marijuana See Surge in College Applications, Especially from Top Students
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Contemporary Economic Policy reveals that states where recreational marijuana has been legalized are experiencing a significant increase in college applications, particularly from high-achieving students. This trend is a clear indication of the growing acceptance and normalization of recreational cannabis use in the United States.
The study, which used a two-way fixed effects difference-in-differences model, found that the three largest state public schools saw an average increase of almost 54% in college applications after the implementation of recreational marijuana policies. This suggests that the legalization of recreational cannabis has had a positive impact on the overall economy and job market, making higher education more accessible and desirable for students.
Currently, recreational cannabis is legal for adults in 24 states and the District of Columbia, according to Pew Research Center. This includes U.S. territories such as the U.S. British Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, more than half of Americans (54%) live in a state where both recreational and medical marijuana are legal, and 74% live in a state where it is legal for either purpose or medical use only.
According to Pew, which cited census data, nearly 80% of Americans live in a county with at least one cannabis dispensary. This number is expected to continue to rise as the industry grows and more states legalize recreational use. Currently, there are almost 15,000 marijuana dispensaries nationwide, with the majority located in states where recreational use is legal.
The states with the highest number of dispensaries include California, Oklahoma, Florida, Colorado, and Michigan. This further demonstrates the widespread acceptance and demand for recreational cannabis in the United States.
It is clear that Americans’ attitudes towards marijuana use have shifted significantly in recent years. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize recreational pot use, and since then, the majority of Americans have expressed support for legalizing marijuana for either medical or recreational use.
A January 2024 survey by Pew Research Center found that around 90% of Americans believe marijuana should be legal for either medical or recreational use. This is a significant increase from just a few years ago and shows a growing acceptance and understanding of the potential benefits of recreational cannabis use.
The impact of legalization on college admissions is also evident. The study published in Contemporary Economic Policy found that the increase in applications was not limited to low-achieving students, as both the first and third quartiles of admitted students’ composite SAT scores at the three largest public schools did not decrease. In fact, they increased by almost 3.8%, although these estimates were not statistically significant.
The authors of the study also noted that the increase in applications diminished over time, suggesting that the initial surge may have been due to the novelty and excitement surrounding the legalization of recreational marijuana. However, the overall trend of increased college applications in states with legal recreational use remains significant.
In conclusion, the wave of legalization of recreational marijuana has had a significant impact on college admissions, with top students showing a strong interest in attending schools in states where recreational use is legal. This trend is likely to continue as more states legalize recreational use and the stigma surrounding marijuana use continues to diminish.
