Week 3: Quiz #1 - Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

In regards to the recent Los Angeles City Council policy to close all medicinal marijuana dispensaries within 1000 meters of Los Angeles schools, I take the position of support for this ruling. Through GIS analysis of schools, parks, and libraries in the City of Los Angeles, the spatial evidence that supports my argument most is the case for the neighborhoods of Southeast Los Angeles and Hollywood. After mapping the locations of Los Angeles County libraries, it is apparent that the highest concentration of libraries exists in Southeast Los Angeles, near cities including Vernon, Huntington Park, Cudahy. Despite the City’s recent ruling to close dispensaries within 1000-meters of schools and libraries, there still appear to be many dispensaries within miles of schools (see: Map of Southeast Los Angeles).

Another primary point of concern is the LA neighborhood Hollywood. Hollywood, world-famously known for its entertainment district and destination for recreation and the arts, some would argue that it is an obvious location for many dispensaries. Walking the streets of Hollywood, however, most people would not readily notice that there are many schools within this neighborhood behind all of the theatres, restaurants, and centers of entertainment. As seen on the map of Hollywood showing locations of schools and their buffered distances from dispensaries, it is apparent that there are several dispensaries within 1000-meters or just outside the proposed buffer zones.