Living Near Cannabis Shops May Affect Use Intentions Differently by Race
Among 604 young adults in Los Angeles, living near more cannabis outlets was not associated with use intentions overall, but racial/ethnic subgroup analyses revealed that White young adults living near more recreational retailers had stronger intentions to co-use cannabis with tobacco.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
While outlet density showed no overall association with use intentions, stratified analyses revealed that White young adults near more recreational retailers had stronger co-use intentions, while Hispanic young adults near more medical dispensaries had lower e-cigarette use intentions.
Key Numbers
604 young adults; mean age 20.9; Los Angeles County post-legalization; density within 5 miles measured; no overall significant association; White young adults: more RCRs associated with stronger co-use intentions; Hispanic young adults: more MCDs associated with lower e-cigarette intentions.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 604 young adults aged 18-23 in Los Angeles County (2018), with outlet density measured as number of medical dispensaries, recreational retailers, and all outlets within 5 miles of respondents' homes.
Why This Research Matters
The finding that cannabis outlet density affects use intentions differently across racial/ethnic groups suggests that one-size-fits-all prevention strategies may miss important subgroup-specific risks.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis retail environments expand, understanding how proximity to different types of outlets affects different communities can inform equitable zoning and prevention policies.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design; self-reported intentions may not predict actual behavior; limited to one metropolitan area; racial/ethnic categories are broad.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these intention differences translate to actual use differences?
- ?Would limiting outlet density in certain neighborhoods reduce cannabis initiation among young adults?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Outlet density effects on use intentions varied significantly by race/ethnicity
- Evidence Grade:
- Cross-sectional survey with adequate sample and geographic data, limited to one metro area and self-reported intentions.
- Study Age:
- Survey conducted in 2018 after California recreational cannabis legalization.
- Original Title:
- Density of medical and recreational cannabis outlets: racial/ethnic differences in the associations with young adult intentions to use cannabis, e-cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine.
- Published In:
- Journal of cannabis research, 3(1), 28 (2021)
- Authors:
- Shih, Regina A(2), Tucker, Joan S(7), Pedersen, Eric R(18), Seelam, Rachana, Dunbar, Michael S, Kofner, Aaron, Firth, Caislin, D'Amico, Elizabeth J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03524
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does living near a cannabis shop make you more likely to use?
In this study, overall outlet density was not significantly associated with use intentions. However, subgroup analyses showed that White young adults near more recreational retailers had stronger intentions to co-use cannabis with tobacco.
Did all racial groups respond the same way?
No. The associations differed by race/ethnicity. Notably, Hispanic young adults near more medical dispensaries actually had lower intentions to use e-cigarettes, suggesting complex and community-specific dynamics.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03524APA
Shih, Regina A; Tucker, Joan S; Pedersen, Eric R; Seelam, Rachana; Dunbar, Michael S; Kofner, Aaron; Firth, Caislin; D'Amico, Elizabeth J. (2021). Density of medical and recreational cannabis outlets: racial/ethnic differences in the associations with young adult intentions to use cannabis, e-cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine.. Journal of cannabis research, 3(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00084-y
MLA
Shih, Regina A, et al. "Density of medical and recreational cannabis outlets: racial/ethnic differences in the associations with young adult intentions to use cannabis, e-cigarettes, and cannabis mixed with tobacco/nicotine.." Journal of cannabis research, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00084-y
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Density of medical and recreational cannabis outlets: racial..." RTHC-03524. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/shih-2021-density-of-medical-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.