Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption(

To date, 19 states have passed medical marijuana laws, yet very little is known about their effects. The current study examines the relationship between the legalization of medical marijuana and traffic fatalities, the leading cause of death among Americans ages 5–34.

The first full year after coming into effect, legalization is associated with an 8–11 percent decrease in traffic fatalities.