In November 2012, voters in Colorado and Washington approved measures to legalize recreational marijuana use and about a dozen more states are considering similar measures. The current movement to legalize recreational marijuana use follows an almost two decade long movement to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. As of January 2014, 20 states and the District of Columbia allow individuals to use marijuana for medical purposes. In many of these states, qualified users can obtain medical marijuana through retail stores or dispensaries. Colorado and Washington will rely on similar retail establishments to furnish recreational markets. Despite strong support for medical marijuana, 44 percent of adults would be somewhat or very concerned if a "store that sold medical marijuana" opened in their area (The Pew Research Center, 2010). These stores are controversial at least in part because they are thought to attract or even cause crime.

To learn how the City of Los Angeles has tried to regulate medical marijuana, David Lilien and Carolyn Stone and economics Chancellor's Professor David Neumark invite you to the UC Irvine Center for Economics & Public Policy Salon:

Going to Pot

featuring Mireille Jacobson
Associate Professor
The Paul Merage School of Business
UC Irvine

Monday, May 12, 2014
6:00 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Presentation and Q&A

Home of David Lilien and Carolyn Stone

Learn more about the Center for Economics & Public Policy.

Appetizers and wine will be served. Please RSVP to Rosemarie Swatez, rswatez@uci.edu or 949-824-2511, by May 6. Address will be provided when RSVP has been confirmed.