Blog · Jan 14, 2024

Colleges in Weed-Friendly States Become Unintentionally "High"

Best Buds Colorado

Matt Lotze

In a turn of events that has college admission offices more buzzed than a freshman at a frat party, a study has found that colleges in states with legalized recreational marijuana are seeing an uptick in applications, especially from students who are, shall we say, "high" achievers.

Weed-Whacker of an Increase in Applications: According to this groundbreaking (or should we say ground-rolling?) study, the year a state legalized recreational Mary Jane saw about a 5.5% increase in college applications compared to those buzzkill states that stayed sober. This surge is like a sudden craving for Taco Bell at 1 AM – intense but short-lived. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal "Contemporary Economic Policy" (or as we like to call it, "Contemporary Economic Pot-icy"), controlled for factors like school quality and tuition prices. Apparently, students aren't just looking for good cafeteria food and a nice dorm room; they want a side of legalized greenery with their education.

Big Schools and Public Universities Hit the Jackpot: The largest schools saw a nearly 54% increase in applications, which is higher than a philosophy major’s theories on life. And it turns out public colleges are more popular in this regard than private ones. Who knew that legalizing pot would be the new college ranking factor?

Why This Matters (Other Than the Obvious): The study points out that institutions of higher learning benefit from having a larger pool of applicants, especially those high-achieving ones. It seems students are not only interested in the school's academic reputation but also in whether they can legally enjoy a joint after their midterms.

The Mysterious Attraction of Green States: The data doesn't exactly spell out why high school seniors, most of whom can't legally partake in the joys of recreational weed, are drawn to these green states. Maybe it's the chill vibe or the hope that the liberal stance on weed implies a more open-minded approach to other policies. Or maybe they just think it's cool.

Out-of-State Applicants Riding the Green Wave: Interestingly, the study couldn't distinguish if these applications were mostly from out-of-staters looking for a change of scenery (and laws) or from in-state students deciding to stick around for the green amenities. But enrollment data shows a 25% increase in out-of-state students at big schools post-legalization. So, it seems the word is out: "Come for the education, stay for the legalized recreation."

In summary, if your state legalizes pot, brace yourself for an influx of applications – and maybe stock up on snacks for those campus tours.

Best Buds Dispensary: The Unofficial College Tour Guide: Speaking of snacks, have you heard of Best Buds Dispensary in Denver, Colorado? It's like Willy Wonka's factory but for adults. I'm not saying it's a reason students are flocking to Colorado schools, but I'm not not saying it. If colleges had mascots for recreational activities, Best Buds would be it – providing higher education in a very literal sense.

Source article by Christopher D. Blake, Emory University via The Conversation

Filed under: Best Buds, Cannabis news, Recreational Cannabis