Policing and Crime around Dispensaries in Seattle, WA

• In Event: 30662 - Section on Crime, Law, and Deviance Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 2: Policing Issues 1

Abstract

Several states have legalized cannabis for medical and recreational use, and dispensaries have increased access for many consumers. While research suggests that the presence of dispensaries may impact local levels of crime, few studies also account for the effect of policing around dispensaries. We investigate the impact of police activity on the relationship between dispensaries and crime in Seattle, Washington. Our findings reveal that, after controlling for factors related to crime rates, the presence of dispensaries in a neighborhood remains associated with higher crime rates, but only for property-related crimes. Importantly, however, we find that this effect is not demonstrably impacted when accounting for police stops in the vicinity.

Authors

• Joshua Chanin

• Burrel James Vann, San Diego State University