Topic 9 Paper: (Williams et al 2011)

Question 1

What does Williams et al (2011) investigate?

Answer 1

Individual preferences for drug policies, and the factors that affect them

Question 2

What data does Williams et al use?

Answer 2

NDSHS

Question 3

Give some statistics about cannibus use from Williams et al (2011)

Answer 3

On average, 13% of indivudals has used cannabis in the last year
31% had used cannibus in their lifetime

Question 4

How much does cannibus on average cost?

Answer 4

$23 per gram in 1989 dollars

Question 5

What does WIlliams et al (2011) conclude?

Answer 5

Personal experience with cannabis use leads to strong preferences for legalization

• But past cannibus users also have these strong preferences, so it is perhaps not self interested.
• Consiquently on average, the benifits of legalization outweight the cost
• The fact that legalization is not as harmful as alchohol or tobacco may explain why indificuals are more inclined to be in fabour of legalizing cannabis once they have used it themselves