Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP9632
Authors: Ali Palali; Jan C. van Ours
Abstract: In the Netherlands cannabis use is quasi-legalized. Small quantities of cannabis can be bought in cannabis-shops. We investigate how the distance to the nearest cannabis-shop affects the age of onset of cannabis use. We use a Mixed Proportional Hazard rate framework to take account of observable as well as unobservable characteristics that influence the uptake of cannabis. We find that distance matters. Individuals who grow up within 20 kilometers of a cannabis-shop have a lower age of onset.
Keywords: cannabis use; coffeeshops; drugs policy
JEL Codes: C31; I10; I18
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Distance to cannabisshop (Y91) | Age of onset of cannabis use (J13) |
| Growing up within 20 kilometers of a cannabisshop (R23) | Lower age of onset for cannabis use (J13) |
| Distance to cannabisshop (Y91) | Cannabis uptake (Q52) |
| Distance to cannabisshop (Y91) | Tobacco uptake (L66) |