Patterns of Twitter Behavior Among Networks of Cannabis Dispensaries in California.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Twitter represents a social media platform through which medical cannabis dispensaries can rapidly promote and advertise a multitude of retail products. Yet, to date, no studies have systematically evaluated Twitter behavior among dispensaries and how these behaviors influence the formation of social networks.

Objectives

This study sought to characterize common cyberbehaviors and shared follower networks among dispensaries operating in two large cannabis markets in California.

Methods

From a targeted sample of 119 dispensaries in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles, we collected metadata from the dispensary accounts using the Twitter API. For each city, we characterized the network structure of dispensaries based upon shared followers, then e

SUBMITTER: Peiper NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5516098 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature