Locations of licensed and unlicensed cannabis retailers in California: A threat to health equity?

Preventive Medicine Reports

Robert O. Vos¹  Christopher Rogers²  Jennifer B. Unger²  Jane Steinberg²  Ada Y. Li Sarain³  Daniel W. Soto³  Kimberly Hardaway³  Jasmine Siyu Wu³ 

[1] Corresponding author at: Preventive Medicine, 2001 N. Soto St., SSB 302P, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States.;Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, United States;Spatial Sciences, University of Southern California, United States;

关键词: Cannabis;    Marijuana;    Retail;    Disparities;    Health equity;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This study examined whether unlicensed and licensed cannabis retailers in California are disproportionately located in neighborhoods with minority populations or populations living below the Federal Poverty Level. We mapped the locations of licensed and unlicensed cannabis retailers in California in October 2018, combining advertisements from cannabis websites with licensing data. Demographic characteristics of neighborhoods with and without licensed and/or unlicensed cannabis retailers were compared. We identified 1110 cannabis retailers in California (448 licensed and 662 unlicensed). Relative to neighborhoods without retailers, neighborhoods with retailers had higher proportions of Hispanics, African Americans, and residents living below the poverty level. Compared with neighborhoods with only licensed retailers, neighborhoods with only unlicensed retailers had higher proportions of Hispanics and African Americans, and lower proportions of non-Hispanic whites. Neighborhoods with both licensed and unlicensed retailers had higher proportions of African Americans, Asian Americans, and people living in poverty, relative to neighborhoods with only licensed retailers. Unlicensed retailers were disproportionately located in unincorporated areas and jurisdictions that allow cannabis retailers. Minority populations in California are disproportionately exposed to unlicensed cannabis retailers, potentially exacerbating health disparities by selling unregulated products or selling to minors.

【 授权许可】

Unknown