There are many reasons that area is how it is, and the presence and legal status of marijuana isn't one of them. The root cause of the situation in the downtow

There are many reasons that area is how it is, and the presence and legal status of marijuana isn't one of them. The root cause of the situation in the downtown east side is the City of Vancouver's effort to help these poor addicts. Vancouver has policies and programs to support addicts, while other cities in greater Vancouver don't. The result is a concentration of addicts from all over the place. For example, there are medical services in place to help addicts such as methadone clinics and a safe injection site. The methadone clinics are supposed to ensure the dose, which the provincial government pays for and the clinic profits from, is consumed by the patient. Instead it's often sold outside for cash which is then used to purchase heroin or crack. The huge huddling masses you see on Hastings Street tend to be concentrated around these clinics. The area is perfectly safe, there's no need to fear assault or robbery. It's just stinky, dirty and unpleasant.