I would consider flipping causality. I think those places, typically cities and ports, are disposed to having larger drug populations, be that from abundance of supply or some other factor. Then, those places end up passing lenient laws as a result of the problem, and instead cope via non-criminal programs like safe injection sites.
It’s not like Vancouver or SF decided first to have safe injection sites, and then suddenly had huge heroin problems.
It’s not like Vancouver or SF decided first to have safe injection sites, and then suddenly had huge heroin problems.