According to a new study from the University of California, it's suggested that medical cannabis dispensaries are effective in reducing crime in their areas.
The study has been published in the Journal of Urban Economics and it sought to investigate the immediate impact that medical cannabis dispensaries have on their communities in the way of crime.
They investigated the massive wave of short-term closures for hundreds of medical cannabis dispensaries which took place back in 2010.
What they found was that the crime surrounding those dispensaries would immediately increase for those dispensaries that received orders to close, compared to those who remained open.
They also noted that they found slightly similar results when investigating restaurant closures.
It's been previously suggested that a city street is going to be safer if there are more eyes upon the street, eyes belonging to those who might respond to what they see.
When it comes to the 'eyes on the street” concept, it has been shown that areas which have higher scores and therefore more eyes on the street, have turned out to be effective in deterring crime.
And the restaurants and medical dispensaries contribute to a higher “walkability score” for that area which means there are more “eyes on the street.”
The most typical crimes that they found surrounding restaurants and medical cannabis dispensaries were thefts from cars and property crimes.
Because of their findings, the researchers suggest that contrary to popular belief, cannabis dispensaries aren't the crime magnet that some people often see them to be. And it could be quite the contrary, where in fact these dispensaries are actively contributing to a reduction in crime for that vicinity. They are making the neighborhood safer.
The researchers concluded from their study that not only cannabis dispensaries but restaurants as well, are effective for being able to lower crime in the area.
Pics:
Dave Jordano via Wired
Wallin & Klarich
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli via heraldtribune
Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170711125704.htm
https://www.wired.com/2016/08/detroits-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-get-lit-night/
http://marijuana.heraldtribune.com/tag/marijuana-reform-california/
http://voiceofoc.org/2015/08/americas-weed-rush-californias-wild-west-of-laws-enforcement/
https://www.wklaw.com/practice-areas/medical-marijuana-laws-california/