Marijuana Legalization and Truck Safety

Abstract

Many states have legalized medical and recreational marijuana use in the past decade, which has potential consequences for roadway safety. Using a state-level panel of heavy truck crash statistics from 2005 to 2021 and a difference-in-difference estimation strategy, we test whether legalization has affected crash rates. Our results show that legalization does not increase crash rates on average; however, responses are heterogeneous across states, with Colorado, New Jersey, and Washington (state) showing crash reductions, while Connecticut and Virginia saw crashes increase. These results suggest that marijuana legalization does not have a straightforward relationship with heavy truck accidents, warranting continued research and policy scrutiny.