The Dark Web and cannabis use in the United States: Evidence from a big data research design

摘要

Background: Cannabis is one of the most commonly sold drugs on cryptomarkets. Because of the anonymitygranting functions of Tor, no study has traced the within-country effect of the Dark Web on cannabis consumption patterns. This article uses a big data research design to examine the association between revealed interest in the Dark Web and self-reported cannabis use within US states from 2011 when Silk Road launched to 2015 when Operation Onymous shuttered nine markets.