Alexis Cooke1, Bridget Freisthler2, Elycia Mulholland3. 1. a Department of Community Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health , University of California , Los Angeles , California , USA. 2. b Ohio State University, College of Social Work , Columbus , Ohio , USA. 3. c Department of Social Welfare , Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California , Los Angeles , California , USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As medical marijuana legislation becomes more common, concerns arise about the overconcentration of dispensaries, raising questions about the number of medicinal marijuana dispensaries (MMD) needed to serve medicinal users. OBJECTIVES: This paper applies niche-marketing theory-which suggests dispensaries market to specific types of people-to examine if MMDs might be targeting recreational users. Observed differences between dispensary populations and between dispensary clients and local residents may indicate that dispensaries are drawing in patients based on factors other than medical need. METHODS: Data were collected via exit surveys with patients at four dispensaries in Long Beach, CA. A total of 132 patients were surveyed regarding demographic data, purchase information, medical condition, and nearest cross street for their home address. Census tract information was collected for every dispensary. RESULTS: Chi-squared tests show significant associations between dispensary visited and race (χ2 = 31.219, p < 0.001) and significant associations between medical condition and dispensary visited (χ2 = 22.123, p < 0.05). Lastly, we found that all four of the dispensaries had patients who were different from community residents in some characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences relating to race, medical condition, and distance traveled across dispensaries. Results suggest dispensary users do not necessarily reside in the same area in which dispensaries are located and do not necessarily reflect the local population. Taken together these results provide some support for market segmentation.
BACKGROUND: As medical marijuana legislation becomes more common, concerns arise about the overconcentration of dispensaries, raising questions about the number of medicinal marijuana dispensaries (MMD) needed to serve medicinal users. OBJECTIVES: This paper applies niche-marketing theory-which suggests dispensaries market to specific types of people-to examine if MMDs might be targeting recreational users. Observed differences between dispensary populations and between dispensary clients and local residents may indicate that dispensaries are drawing in patients based on factors other than medical need. METHODS: Data were collected via exit surveys with patients at four dispensaries in Long Beach, CA. A total of 132 patients were surveyed regarding demographic data, purchase information, medical condition, and nearest cross street for their home address. Census tract information was collected for every dispensary. RESULTS: Chi-squared tests show significant associations between dispensary visited and race (χ2 = 31.219, p < 0.001) and significant associations between medical condition and dispensary visited (χ2 = 22.123, p < 0.05). Lastly, we found that all four of the dispensaries had patients who were different from community residents in some characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences relating to race, medical condition, and distance traveled across dispensaries. Results suggest dispensary users do not necessarily reside in the same area in which dispensaries are located and do not necessarily reflect the local population. Taken together these results provide some support for market segmentation.
Authors: Zach Walsh; Robert Callaway; Lynne Belle-Isle; Rielle Capler; Robert Kay; Philippe Lucas; Susan Holtzman Journal: Int J Drug Policy Date: 2013-09-09
Authors: Mark A Ilgen; Kipling Bohnert; Felicia Kleinberg; Mary Jannausch; Amy S B Bohnert; Maureen Walton; Frederic C Blow Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2013-05-15 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Stephen E Lankenau; Loni Philip Tabb; Avat Kioumarsi; Janna Ataiants; Ellen Iverson; Carolyn F Wong Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2019-06-03 Impact factor: 2.164
Authors: Jonathan Ross; Deepika E Slawek; Chenshu Zhang; Joanna L Starrels; Frances R Levin; Nancy L Sohler; Haruka Minami; Julia H Arnsten; Chinazo O Cunningham Journal: Pain Med Date: 2021-12-11 Impact factor: 3.637
Authors: Jonathan Ross; Jaclyn Yamada; Deepika Slawek; Joanna L Starrels; Chinazo O Cunningham; Julia H Arnsten Journal: NEJM Catal Innov Care Deliv Date: 2022-01-19
Authors: Mohamed A Satti; Eda G Reed; Elizabeth S Wenker; Stephanie L Mitchell; Jay Schulkin; Michael L Power; A Dhanya Mackeen Journal: J Cannabis Res Date: 2022-04-06