Examining the Microlevel Impact of Medical Marijuana Legalization on Drug-Related Calls for Service

Bibliographic Data

ID8250402
AuthorsLin Liu (0000-0002-7202-3418, University of Cincinnati), Zihan Su (0009-0001-7316-9427, University of Cincinnati, corresponding author), Hanlin Zhou (0000-0003-0334-5322, University of Connecticut), Minxuan Lan (0000-0002-4528-9544, University of Toledo), Xin Gu (0000-0002-7724-9379, Tulane University), Debao Chen (0009-0007-9150-1482, University of Cincinnati)
Year2026
Pages1-15
Publication date2026-03-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnnals of the American Association of Geographers (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2469-4452 • E-ISSN: 2469-4460
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/24694452.2026.2638868
OpenAlexW7140282411
LanguageEN
References cited69

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. The recent legalization of marijuana has shifted public opinion, which might affect how people report drug-related activities. Whereas some studies have investigated the issue at the city or larger scales, few have focused on a microlevel within a city. This study examined the spatiotemporal distribution of drug-related calls at the street segment level in Cincinnati, Ohio, from 2013 to 2019, to test if the legalization of medical marijuana on 8 September 2016 had an impact. Results indicated that the seasonal drop in calls was steady after the legalization, except for an immediate increase from fall 2015 to fall 2016, which is probably due to a lag effect from the peak volumes of calls in spring and summer of 2016. The spatial distribution of the calls became more concentrated. Using a combination of zero-inflated negative binomial regression model and interrupted time-series analysis, this study confirmed that the effects of medical marijuana legalization on drug-related calls were statistically significant, with the spatial lag, the socioeconomic variables, crime generators and attractors, and the season dummy variable controlled. This research enhances our understanding of the relationship between medical marijuana legalization and drug-related calls at the street segment level and provides a method that can be applied in other areas. Findings on the increasing concentration of drug-related calls have important policy implications. The police department should consider developing more targeted intervention strategies that focus on areas with a high concentration of such calls.

Cannabis · Government (linguistics · Legalization · Poison control · Service (business · Service provider · Suicide prevention · Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Tools

Open DOI