We study the effect of state medical marijuana laws (MMLs) on Social Security Disability
Insurance
(SSDI) and Workers' Compensation (WC) claiming. We use data on benefit claiming
drawn from
the 1990 to 2013 Current Population Survey coupled with a differences-in-
differences design. We
find that passage of an MML increases SSDI, but not WC, claiming on
both the intensive and extensive
margins. Post-MML the propensity to claim SSDI increases by
0.27 percentage points (9.9%) and
SSDI benefits increase by 2.6%. ...
A few words of caution in interpreting this:
- The Social Security Act forbids granting disability benefits on the basis of substance abuse disorders, a point which the authors of this study seem not to understand.
- The effect found is small and could have other causes.
- If there is an effect, it may be a little less direct than the authors (who are economists) think. My guess is that if there is an effect, it would be because marijuana lessens the effectiveness of medications given for mental health problems such as bipolar disorder.
1 comment:
No increase in workers comp claims, that is what really leaps out to me. The risk of work place injuries has always been a talking point.
Can't explain the increase in claims. I could understand an increase in approvals since ALJ's might be less inclined to view a claimant with a positive test of THC in a negative manner.
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