Average Maricopan Fears Crime Spike from New Dispensary: Is Their Worry Justified?

Construction on the Trulieve cannabis dispensary in Maricopa is ongoing, yet public sentiment surrounding its opening remains mixed. An InMaricopa poll of 595 residents revealed that a substantial number worry about potential increases in crime once the dispensary opens on John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue.

A plurality, 38%, of participants believes that legal cannabis will exacerbate crime rates in the community, echoing sentiments voiced by local resident Dennis Johnson. In a memo earlier this year, Maricopa Police Chief Mark Goodman articulated similar concerns, noting that marijuana dispensaries often attract theft and robbery due to the cash and high-value products they stock.

Historical data supports these apprehensions. A 2014 study from the University of Colorado Denver indicated varying crime increases of 26 to 1,452% that followed the establishment of dispensaries in previously unserved neighborhoods. However, the researchers linked these spikes more closely to the timing of recreational marijuana legalization rather than the dispensary locations themselves. Dr. Lonnie M. Schaible, a coauthor of the study, ultimately asserted that significant crime increases post-legalization are unlikely to replicate in other regions.

Despite reassurances, local residents like Rancho El Dorado homeowner Bejean Page expressed fears regarding “more distracted driving,” while others questioned the dispensary’s proximity to Maricopa High School. The Maricopa Unified School District initially opposed the dispensary’s original site, which was merely 600 feet from the school, prompting Trulieve to relocate to a site approximately 1,200 feet away.

The InMaricopa poll also reflected a degree of skepticism; 37% of respondents predicted no change in local crime rates, while 15% felt the dispensary might contribute to a reduction in crime. Hidden Valley resident Chris Troupe noted, “Kids buy their drugs on the street and adults use the dispensaries, so I don’t see any change.” Conversely, Jackie Burkhart from Thunderbird Farms likened dispensaries to bars, highlighting that, despite her personal abstention from cannabis, she views their presence as equivalent to other alcohol establishments.

Importantly, about 10% of those surveyed were undecided. Recent scholarly work, however, suggests a more optimistic outlook for Maricopa. A 2019 article in the Journal of Regional Science and Urban Economics concluded that dispensaries may actually reduce crime in neighborhoods without adversely affecting surrounding areas. Further research from Colorado indicated that dispensaries could decrease illegal drug activity while boosting economic activity and enhancing police presence—a commitment Chief Goodman has made for the new store.

Once opposed to dispensaries for fear of crime, some experts have revised their stance since legalization occurred in other areas. As Maricopa prepares for the new dispensary’s opening, the question remains: will public opinion evolve in a similar fashion over time?