A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found an association between community exposure to cannabis retailers and increased rates of harm. This association was stronger in neighborhoods with greater densities of cannabis retailers or dispensaries. The study shed light on the health-related effects of recreational cannabis legalization and exposure to retailers.
The research team conducted a population-based natural experiment study to determine risks associated with proximity to cannabis dispensaries. They analyzed data from 6,140,595 residents living in 10,574 various neighborhoods located in Ontario, Canada. They ranged in age from 15 to 105 years old.
The analysis reflected how cannabis stores after legalization in October 2018 affected neighborhood-level rates of cannabis-related emergency department (ED) visits. The researchers used provincial data on cannabis retail sites to categorize neighborhoods as exposed (within 1,000 meters of a cannabis dispensary) or unexposed (more than 1,000 meters from a cannabis dispensary). The primary health outcome was the neighborhood-level rate of cannabis-induced ED visits per 100,000 persons aged 15 years or older.
Data analysis revealed that exposed neighborhoods were more likely to be located in large urban centers and in the lowest income quintile compared to unexposed neighborhoods. The findings showed that exposed neighborhoods did not experience an increase in monthly rates of cannabis-related ED visits after they were exposed to a cannabis store. Neighborhoods considered unexposed experienced a reduction in monthly rates of cannabis-attributable ED visits.
The researchers found evidence that having more cannabis retail sites within 1,000 meters was linked to larger rate increases of cannabis-attributable ED visits. The findings suggest that legalization of cannabis, accompanied by retail commercialization, may have different public health risks as opposed to legalization alone. The findings suggest that restrictions on the overall number of cannabis retail stores, on store concentrations, or on being located in certain areas could offer public health benefits.
More research is critical to understand the drawbacks and benefits of dispensaries for their neighborhoods. Some studies have highlighted the positive effects of living in proximity to a neighborhood cannabis dispensary, while others point out the potential safety pitfalls.
Sources: Annals of Internal Medicine, Eureka News Alert
