Exploring Permitted Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Los

Angeles

Image Sources: thcfinder.com and thefreshscent.com

Zachary ZabelUP206A

February 13, 2012

Context

Data Sources: laweekly.com, latimes.com

• The L.A. City Council will be voting on an all out ban of medical marijuana dispensaries this month

•Council members are concerned with an uncontrolled proliferation of dispensaries and perceived externalities such as property crime

•As of Summer 2010 only dispensaries registered with the council since 2007 are permitted to operate. However, hundreds more exist in lieu of this

Purpose

Data Sources: laweekly.com, latimes.com

A “Cap and Abeyance” system would allow for only dispensaries registered since 2007 and in compliance with local ordinances to operate in the city.

•Map dispensaries registered with city since 2007

•Display property crime around dispensaries

•Highlight dispensaries not in compliance with city ordinances

Data Sources: Lab 1 and 2 Prepared Files latimes.com, latimes.com/mapping-la,

Data Sources: Lab 1 and 2 Prepared Files latimes.com, latimes.com/mapping-laCrime Data is from July 11, 2011 to Jan. 8, 2012

L.A. City Council Ordinance Restrictions

Data Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/los-angeles-medical-marijuana-ordinance-pot-dispensaries.html

• Dispensaries must be at least 1,000 feet from each other

•Dispensaries must be at least 1,000 feet from “sensitive use sites”: schools, libraries, and parks

•Dispensaries are required to close by 8 p.m.

•Marijuana use is not permitted on site

VanNuys was derived by Querying Hoods_TheValley for “Name” = ‘Van Nuys’

Data Sources: Lab 1 Prepared Files, UCLA Mapshare, http://www.lapl.org/branches/, and http://www.latimes.com

Data Sources: Lab 1 Prepared Files, UCLA Mapshare, http://www.lapl.org/branches/, and http://www.latimes.com

Possible Future Analysis• Transit access

•Accessibility for patients in need / Disabled veterans

•Exploring proximity to dispensaries and effects on residential land values

•Externalities around dispensaries compared to pharmacies or liquor stores

•Mapping and exploring relationships with unregistered and “illegal” dispensaries

•Mapping and creating an optimal spatial configuration of dispensaries for a cap and abeyance system to present to L.A. City Council

Skills UsedInset MapGraduated Point SymbolAttribute Sub-Sets Selections DistanceBufferingGeoprocessingGeocoding

SourcesReferences: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/marijuana/la-me-medical-marijuana-dispensary-open-notification-map,0,1159993.htmlstory

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/los-angeles-medical-marijuana-ordinance-pot-dispensaries.html

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2012/01/marijuana_ban_angeles_council_medical_dispensaries_alternative.php

Data Sources: Lab 1, 2 Prepared Files LA Locator from Lab 4 Mapping L.A. (http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/about/#the-data) UCLA Mapshare (http://gis.ats.ucla.edu//Mapshare/Default.cfm) Los Angeles Public Library (http://www.lapl.org/branches/)

All dispensaries Geocoded from: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/marijuana/la-me-medical-marijuana-dispensary-open-notification-map,0,1159993.htmlstory

All property crime derived from: http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/neighborhoods/property-crime/neighborhood/list/