Road safety impact of cannabis retail stores

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In this study we developed a framework for evaluating the road safety impacts of cannabis retail stores in Ontario.  The objectives of the proposed work were to:  1. Determine the effect of physical retail outlet density on motor vehicle collision (MVC) outcomes, including frequency and severity of collisions in general, and specifically the frequency and severity of impaired driving collisions; 2. Measure the physical extent (distance) over which a cannabis retail outlet affects MVC outcomes; 3. Determine whether and how other neighbourhood characteristics mediate the effect of cannabis retail outlets on MVC outcomes; and 4. Determine whether cannabis retail outlets produce any substitution effect whereby drinking and driving MVCs are replaced by other collision types, possibly of the drug-impaired variety.  Currently, data suggest that the density of alcohol retail outlets is related to collision rates and other alcohol-related problems, but relatively little research is available internationally on the impact of introducing cannabis retail stores. Although some initial work suggests that the density of cannabis retail and medical outlets may show some relationships to crime rates.

In one part of this study, we conducted a systematic review of the impact of opening cannabis retail stores on motor vehicle collisions in states within USA that have legalized cannabis. Some studies found that the number of collisions increased after legalization but others did not. In the second phase of this study we analysed the impact of opening cannabis retail stores on motor vehicle collisions. Municipalities that opted in to brick and mortar stores had higher rates of motor vehicle collisions than those that opted out. This study adds to the growing literature evaluating the impact of cannabis legalization on societal risks and harms.

This study was funded by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario

The team:
Christine Wickens           Evelyn Vingilis           Patricia Di Ciano
Robert Mann                   Jane Seeley               Gina Stoduto
Tara Elton-Marshall         Branka Agic              Hayley Hamilton