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Comment by toader | Hacker News Reader

California has a rampant, unmanaged homeless problem largely caused by mental illness, addiction and economics and they are choosing to legalize more drugs which will increase access, and yes, while psychedelics are known to help some, they are also known to cause psychosis and exacerbate mental health issues in others especially when combined with other drugs. Seems like a questionable choice.

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What will definitely help the homelessness problem is turning people into felons, locking them up for a number of the prime years of their lives, and making it much harder to have a viable career with a criminal record.

I understand your point, however California has the most relaxed drug prosecution laws in the United States. Short of distribution, people aren't often prosecuted for minor drug possession.

Edit:

In a controlled environment, I'd tend to agree with you. California's issues are so grave though it seems they should address the current issues prior to potentially adding to the existing problem.

Do you live in California? This is textbook whataboutism. Wtf does this bill have to do with homelessness?

I have spent ample time in California and even if I hadn't, the data is available. My response isn't whataboutism, causation and/or correlation perhaps. If you don't see the connection between the decriminalization and accessibility of drugs and mental health, addiction and homelessness, I don't know what to say.

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