Marijuana and Homelessness


Recreational Cannabis Legalization and Homelessness in the U.S.: A Quasi-Experimental National Policy Analysis
James A. Sanderson All Thesis 2022, May

In analyzing rising homelessness across the country, a comparison of state policies
uncovered a trend: many states which were early adopters of adult-use recreational cannabis law
also exhibited a high incidence of homelessness. As legalizing cannabis undoubtedly affects the
number of substance users who are imprisoned, such changes to drug enforcement policy may
also be impacting homeless populations. Now, there is substantial research on the relationship
between incarceration and homelessness, and on co-occurring mental health and substance use
problems known to be prevalent among these populations. Despite such similarities, and the
impacts of recreational cannabis legalization on jail populations, there is scant empirical research
on its potential impact on homelessness…

States with recreational marijuana have greater rates of homelessness
 U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) 2021 October


Drugs, Homelessness & a Growing Public Health Disaster
Domestic Preparedness 2019 December 11

Conditions of squalor, which may be found in a refugee settlement or on the streets of a third world country, appear to be rapidly increasing in certain places in the United States over the past several years. This phenomenon is evident not only in a growing number of cities in California – including San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego – but in cities in Oregon, Washington State, Colorado, and elsewhere. During the past several years, similar signs of deteriorating conditions have also become increasingly evident in New York City and Washington, D.C…

Health Conditions Among Unsheltered Adults in the U.S.
California Policy Lab 2019 October