Columbia University researchers conducted a study that indicated easy access for youths to purchase cannabis from unlicensed New York City dispensaries in New York City. State law stipulates that licensed retailers must verify that consumers are 21 or older. New York State legalized the medical cannabis program in 2014 and recreational cannabis in 2021. The study published in Pediatrics highlights the need for more rigid enforcement of regulatory policy that prevents youth access.
The researchers used Google Maps to create a directory of 840 cannabis retailers that included licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, licensed recreational cannabis dispensaries, unlicensed dispensaries, and smoke shops across the five boroughs. Nineteen of these establishments had state-issued licenses to sell cannabis products.
The research team found that age verification, marketing compliance regarding youth, and product quality information varied by the type of retail outlet. A research assistant posed as an underage cannabis consumer and visited a random selection of 37 stores in the directory. The research assistant attempted to purchase cannabis at different sites. These sites included 5 licensed medical dispensaries, 7 licensed recreational dispensaries, 10 unlicensed dispensaries, and 15 smoke shops. Four retailers denied selling cannabis products, so the research team removed them from the analysis.
The undercover shopping trips revealed that unlicensed retailers often engage in practices that promote youth access to cannabis. For example, they did not always verify age and used marketing practices that were attractive to youth, such as cartoon signage. They also sold less expensive products. The team noted that all licensed dispensaries followed age verification policies by reviewing a photo ID before granting the undercover shopper, whereas only 10% of unlicensed outlets adhered to the age verification policy. Most unlicensed retailers also sold nicotine products, junk food, energy drinks, soda, and candy.
Another finding revealed that licensed cannabis retailers were more likely to adhere to New York state regulation requiring dispensaries to post certificates of analysis (COA) indicating the potency and quality of cannabis products. Licensed dispensaries consistently displayed COAs for consumer education.
New York has increased efforts to shut down unlicensed retailers, but legal loopholes have complicated the efforts. Recently, New York City officials have used local tobacco laws to leverage their attempts to restrict unlicensed cannabis outlets. Many healthcare professionals, parents, and policy experts have called for more restrictive policies to prevent youth access to cannabis products.
Sources: Eureka News Alert, Pediatrics
