Exploring the Ecological Association Between Crime and Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Exploring the Ecological Association between Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Crime
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Exploring the Ecological Association between Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Crime
Introduction
Medical marijuana dispensaries are officially authorized outlets that dispense marijuana prescriptions to bona fide patients. Marijuana is of immense medicinal value when used by the patient in strict adherence to prescription. It is a common misperception that medical marijuana dispensaries increase crime rates in their neighborhoods. This erroneous perception is informed by the stereotype that associates marijuana with criminal activities (Kepple & Freisthler, 2012). In this regard, the legalization of marijuana dispensaries has brought about concerns that the outlets and customers would become targets for crime.
Research and statistics from various institutions strongly suggest there is no direct relationship between marijuana dispensaries and crime. The routine activity theory suggests that crime is most likely to occur in a place with a potential target, a willing and motivated offender, and the absence of an effective guardianship (Kepple & Freisthler, 2012). The medical marijuana dispensaries can satisfy these conditions, although research is yet to be done to ascertain whether this assumption is accurate.
Research Questions/Hypothesis
The research hypothesizes there is a relationship between crime rates and the spatial clustering of medical marijuana clinics.

Key Variables
The independent variable was the spatial concentration of marijuana clinic while the dependent variables were property crime and violent crime.
Population
The population of the study was 95 census tracts in Sacramento City, California.
Method
Procedure
Kepple and Freisthler (2012) employ a multi-faceted design to study the relationship between the dispensaries and two common forms of crime, namely property and violent crime in Sacramento, California.
Description
The procedure followed for the study included first identifying census tracts boundaries. Data were obtained from Sacramento Police Department on crime incidents records. Results were then analyzed of crime rates per census tracts.
Analysis
Statistical analyses used geospatial methods of area units in this case census tracts. Statistical results included banks having a higher chance of being crime targets compared to medical marijuana dispensaries. In fact, a 2009 Los Angeles Police Department survey indicated that there were 71 bank robbery reports reported at the Los Angeles Police Department against 47 cases of medical marijuana. This is despite the city having 350 banks and more than 800 medical marijuana clinics.
Conclusion/Findings
The study revealed that the percentages of commercially zoned neighborhoods that are one-person households as well as unemployment rate contributed the most to property and violent crime rates. The percentage of the population of age 15-24 years was positively associated with the rate of property crime rates (Kepple & Freisthler, 2012). Consistent with the results of similar studies, Kepple and Freisthler (2012) found no significant link between crime and medical marijuana dispensaries.
The results from the various studies conclude that the concentration of medical marijuana dispensaries in a given jurisdiction does not necessarily result in high rates of crime, which might be due to the measures the dispensaries often put in place to deter potential offenders. The marijuana premises are highly guarded by door attendants. Installed video cameras may also be effective enough to avert crime in these establishments. There is also the possibility that the marijuana dispensaries are no more valuable than other business entities for criminals to target. Some researchers have suggested that the presence of medical marijuana dispensaries would lower the rates of crime because the legalization of marijuana reduces the activities of drug cartels by allowing dispensaries to take over the supply of prescriptions (Kepple & Freisthler, 2012). Additionally, the legalization of the marijuana dispensaries results in employment creation, thereby lowering unemployment and the attendant crime rates.
Strengths
Considering there has been little research on medical dispensaries relationship with crime, the current study contributes largely to literature currently available. The study was also different from previous studies which studied the relationship between place and crime locations.
Limitations
The study, however, had limitations one being the small sample size which may have affected the outcome of the results. The study was also focused on one region in America that may have influenced the reliability of the findings. Reviewing the study, it was valid and measured its intended aims, however; future research should obtain information from owners’ on their decision for selected locations and focus on other states where medical marijuana dispensaries are located.
Overall Critique
Contrary to the prevalent stereotypes that associate medical marijuana dispensaries with the increase in crime rates, extensive research has proved that the dispensaries do not directly cause crime. As Kepple and Freisthler (2012) established, marijuana dispensaries are like other business entities and, therefore, have equal or even lower chances of being robbed. However, there is the need for further research on the factors that deter crime in marijuana dispensaries. It could be that the preventive measures taken by these establishments are resulting in reduced crime rates or that the said dispensaries do not satisfy the conditions for crime as postulated by the routine activity theory.

References
Kepple, N. J., & Freisthler, B. (2012). Exploring the ecological association between crime and medical marijuana dispensaries. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 73(4), 523-530.