Evaluating Medical Marijuana Dispensary Policies: Spatial Methods for the Study of Environmentally‐Based Interventions

Freisthler, Bridget; Kepple, Nancy Jo; Sims, Revel; Martin, Scott E.

doi:10.1007/s10464-012-9542-6

Cited by 42 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…At present, the link between dispensaries and crime is unclear (Freisthler et al, 2012; Kepple & Freisthler, 2012), and there is an association of unknown directionality between dispensaries and increased marijuana use in California (Freisthler & Gruenewald, 2013). Prior studies of alcohol outlets may provide some indication as to the neighborhood effects of marijuana dispensaries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The economic geography of medical cannabis dispensaries in California

Morrison

Gruenewald

Freisthler

et al. 2014

International Journal of Drug Policy

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Background The introduction of laws that permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes has led to the emergence of a medical marijuana industry in some US states. This study assessed the spatial distribution of medical marijuana dispensaries according to estimated marijuana demand, socioeconomic indicators, alcohol outlets and other socio-demographic factors. Method Telephone survey data from 5,940 residents of 39 California cities were used to estimate social and demographic correlates of marijuana demand. These individual-level estimates were then used to calculate aggregate marijuana demand (i.e. market potential) for 7,538 census block groups. Locations of actively operating marijuana dispensaries were then related to the measure of demand and the socio-demographic characteristics of census block groups using multilevel Bayesian conditional autoregressive logit models. Results Marijuana dispensaries were located in block groups with greater marijuana demand, higher rates of poverty, alcohol outlets, and in areas just outside city boundaries. For the sampled block groups, a 10% increase in demand within a block group was associated with 2.4% greater likelihood of having a dispensary, and a 10% increase in the city-wide demand was associated with a 6.7% greater likelihood of having a dispensary. Conclusion High demand for marijuana within individual block groups and within cities is related to the location of marijuana dispensaries at a block-group level. The relationship to low income, alcohol outlets and unincorporated areas indicates that dispensaries may open in areas that lack the resources to resist their establishment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Crime rates in the immediate vicinity of dispensaries differ according to the security measures implemented by operators (Freisthler, Kepple, Sims, & Martin, 2012). However, there is no association between the density of dispensaries and violent or property crime in Sacramento, California (Kepple & Freisthler, 2012).…”

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confidence: 99%

The economic geography of medical cannabis dispensaries in California

Morrison

Gruenewald

Freisthler

et al. 2014

International Journal of Drug Policy

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“…This information is particularly important in states like California which allow marijuana use for medical purposes but devolve regulatory control of dispensaries to local jurisdictions. As a consequence the range of local regulation of marijuana outlets runs from no regulation, to limits on the number and density of dispensaries, to complete bans on dispensary operations (Freisthler et al, 2013). Uneven access to marijuana at “store front” dispensaries exists depending upon the city in which a person lives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the relationship between the physical availability of medical marijuana and marijuana use across fifty California cities

Freisthler¹,

Gruenewald

2014

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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Background The purpose of the current study is to assess statistical associations between individual demographic and personality characteristics, the city-level physical availability of medical marijuana (as measured through densities per roadway mile of storefront dispensaries and delivery services), and the incidence and prevalence of marijuana use. Method Individual level data on marijuana use were collected during a telephone survey of 8,853 respondents living in 50 mid-size cities in California. Data on medical marijuana dispensaries and delivery services were obtained via six different websites and official city lists. Three outcome variables pertaining to lifetime, past year use, and frequency of past year use were analyzed using random effects logistic models (for lifetime and past year use) and random effects tobit models (for frequency of past 365-day use). Results The current study finds that the total physical availability of medical marijuana through dispensaries and delivery services per roadway mile at the city-level is positively related to current marijuana use and greater frequency of use, controlling for a variety of demographic and personality characteristics. As expected, current physical availability of medical marijuana was unrelated to lifetime use. Conclusions Regulations on the number and densities of marijuana outlets may be a sufficient means to restrain overall levels of marijuana use within cities. However, alternative use of delivery services may also provide easy access to marijuana and mitigate these effects.

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“…Furthermore, other social, economic and legal factors contributed to the decline of CTP. For instance, import to Europe and the U.S. of high quality Indian hemp became increasingly difficult due to constraints in India and the influence of the two world wars (Fankhauser, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%