title: Cannabis cultivation in Quebec: between space-time hotspots and coldspots.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cannabis cultivation has become increasingly localized, whether soil-based or hydroponic growing methods are used. Characteristics of a given location, such as its climate and the equipment it requires may influence general accessibility or attract different types of offenders based on potential profits. The location of crops, especially hydroponic crops, suggests a certain proximity to the consumer market via semi-urban and urban environments, while making it possible to avoid detection. This article examines the cannabis market through its cultivation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The stability of temporal and spatial clusters of cannabis cultivation, hotspots, and coldspots between 2001 and 2009 in the province of Quebec, Canada, are addressed. Studying the geography of crime is not a new endeavor, but coldspots are rarely documented in drug market research. Using arrests and general population data, as well as Kulldorff's scan statistics, results show that the temporal distribution of cannabis cultivation is highly seasonal for soil-based methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hydroponic production shows adaptation to its soil-based counterpart. Stable patterns are found for both spatial distributions. Hotspots for soil-based cultivation are found near several urban centers and the Ontario border. For hydroponic cannabis cultivation, a new hotspot suggests the emergence of an American demand for Quebec-grown cannabis between 2007 and 2009. Curiously, the region surrounding Montreal, the largest urban center in Quebec, is a recurrent and stable coldspot for both methods of cultivation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For all periods, spatial clusters are stronger for soil-based methods than in the hydroponic context. Temporal differences and spatial similarities between soil-based cultivation and hydroponic cultivation are discussed. The role of the metropolis is also addressed.
authors.affiliation: École de criminologie, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Lionel-Groulx, C. P. 6128, succ. Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec) H3C 3J7, Canada. Electronic address: v.chadillon-farinacci@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chadillon-Farinacci
authors.affiliation: Centre Urbanisation Culture Société (Institut national de la recherche scientifique), 385, rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal (Québec) H2X 1E3, Canada. Electronic address: philippe.apparicio@ucs.inrs.ca.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Apparicio
authors.affiliation: École de criminologie, Université de Montréal, Pavillon Lionel-Groulx, C. P. 6128, succ. Centre-ville, Montréal (Québec) H3C 3J7, Canada. Electronic address: carlo.morselli@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morselli
mesh_terms: D002188:Cannabis / Q000254:growth & development*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057237:Criminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D064423:Drug Trafficking / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D018527:Hydroponics; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011792:Quebec; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D012987:Soil
keywords: Cannabis cultivation; Drug-crime; Kulldorff's scan statistics; Space–time analysis