Living Near More Cannabis Dispensaries Is Associated With Higher Use Frequency But Not Initiation
A study of 11,569 adults found that higher dispensary density within 3 miles of home was associated with more frequent cannabis use among existing users, but not with whether someone used cannabis at all.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Greater dispensary density within a 3-mile buffer was associated with higher frequency of use among current cannabis users (p<0.01) but not with past-year cannabis use prevalence. The association was stronger for recreational dispensaries than medical dispensaries. Dispensary proximity (distance to nearest) was not significantly associated with use patterns.
Key Numbers
11,569 adults; 3-mile buffer most significant; density associated with frequency (p<0.01); no association with prevalence; recreational dispensaries had stronger effect.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis linking geocoded residential addresses of 11,569 adults from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study to state dispensary databases. GIS-based dispensary density and proximity measures within 1, 3, and 5-mile buffers.
Why This Research Matters
Communities debate dispensary placement, often fearing it will increase cannabis initiation. This study suggests dispensaries may intensify use among existing users rather than creating new users, which has different policy implications.
The Bigger Picture
Dispensary zoning is one of the most contentious local cannabis policy decisions. This evidence that density affects frequency but not initiation suggests a more nuanced approach than simply limiting dispensary numbers may be appropriate.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional — people who use more cannabis may choose to live near dispensaries. PATH data may not capture all use. Dispensary databases may be incomplete. Cannot distinguish between dispensary access and neighborhood characteristics.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does dispensary density affect problematic use or CUD rates?
- ?Would capping dispensary density reduce use frequency without limiting access?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Large nationally representative sample with GIS-based exposure measurement, but cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study using PATH survey data linked to dispensary geocoding.
- Original Title:
- Measuring the Association Between Cannabis Dispensary Density and Adult Consumption in a Statewide Setting: Does Urbanicity Matter?
- Published In:
- Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(2), 18-32 (2025)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07818
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do dispensaries increase cannabis use in a neighborhood?
This study found more dispensaries nearby was linked to more frequent use among existing users, but not to whether someone used cannabis at all — suggesting dispensaries intensify rather than initiate use.
Does it matter how close a dispensary is?
The number of dispensaries within 3 miles mattered more than distance to the nearest one, suggesting density (concentration) is more influential than simple proximity.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07818APA
Trangenstein, Pamela J; Greenfield, Thomas K; Patterson, Deidre M; Kerr, William C. (2025). Measuring the Association Between Cannabis Dispensary Density and Adult Consumption in a Statewide Setting: Does Urbanicity Matter?. Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(2), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2025/000235
MLA
Trangenstein, Pamela J, et al. "Measuring the Association Between Cannabis Dispensary Density and Adult Consumption in a Statewide Setting: Does Urbanicity Matter?." Cannabis (Albuquerque, 2025. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2025/000235
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Measuring the Association Between Cannabis Dispensary Densit..." RTHC-07818. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/trangenstein-2025-measuring-the-association-between
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.