The Side Effects of Legal Cannabis

Marijuana laws in the U.S. have changed rapidly over the past decade, with roughly half of states permitting adults to consume cannabis recreationally. Proponents say legalizing cannabis can reduce racial disparities in drug arrests, raise tax revenue and control cannabis purity. But the fast-growing retail market and availability of high-potency marijuana has raised public health concerns at a time when it’s difficult to assess which policy approaches are most effective. We are joined by Rosalie Pacula, a USC Price School Professor and leading expert on cannabis policy. Her research has explored the different regulatory approaches taken by states and countries to legalizing cannabis, as well as the public health outcomes on addiction, ER visits, mental health and youth smoking.