Have you considered that those are the cities (or in Portland's case after passing a law, state) not enforcing it? This isn't some random phenomenon. Warm weat

Have you considered that those are the cities (or in Portland's case after passing a law, state) not enforcing it? This isn't some random phenomenon. Warm weather is only a part of it. DC, Philly, and NYC are all seeing large amounts of it and the only major change is basic street enforcement and judicial consequences. All 4 of your examples are notorious for not enforcing it at the local level and Seattle decided to blame simple drug possession again after it got out of control, but without heart by the city we'll see the same outcomes. It's more than what's written in the laws.