Living near marijuana shops may increase chance of health issues, study finds

OG article by Mitch Borden

December 1, 2025

A Washington State Institute for Public Policy report reveals proximity to licensed cannabis retailers heightens cannabis use disorder (CUD) diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees, linking easier access to mental health burdens since 2012 legalization. Analyzing 2012-2023 claims for ages 12-64, the study—contrasting 10-minute-drive zones to distant ones—found youth (12-20) 13% more likely, adults 7% more prone to CUD, defined by persistent use amid life impairments, often fueling anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

Retailer proliferation—from under 50 in 2014 to 450+ in 2023—amplifies risks, with multiple nearby shops correlating to elevated hospitalizations. Explanations include competitive pricing, aggressive advertising, and diverse high-THC packaging enticing impulse buys. CUD symptoms—cravings, inability to quit, relational fallout—disproportionately strike early starters and regulars, per CDC.

Senior researcher Amani Rashid notes denser markets may normalize consumption, blurring youth safeguards despite age gates. Rep. Lauren Davis (D) decries unintended fallout from potent products and unchecked outlets, renewing calls for THC caps and ad curbs, though unsupported legislatively. The industry group Washington Cannabusiness Association deflects, faulting untracked illicit sources for youth access lapses and touting licensed efficacy over alcohol/tobacco.

As part of statutorily mandated cost-benefit scrutiny spanning health, economy, and justice, the non-prescriptive analysis spotlights trade-offs: economic boons versus public wellness strains. It compels reflection on mitigation—stricter zoning, education, potency limits—to harness benefits without amplifying harms, particularly for vulnerable Medicaid populations. In Washington's trailblazing context, this underscores legalization's dual edges: liberation from criminality alongside accountability for downstream effects, urging adaptive policies that protect communities while sustaining a regulated trade.