Officials in Denver Say Marijuana Legalization Has Increased City's Homeless Population

More people are reportedly staying in shelters while looking for work and weed.

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The legalization of marijuana has resulted in significant financial gains for the state of Colorado, but officials in Denver claim that it's also the cause of a growing young homeless population. 

The Denver Post spoke to Kendall Rames, deputy director at Urban Peak, an organization created to provide people ages 15 to 24 with shelter in the city. Rames pointed to a direct correlation between marijuana and the new influx of residents. "Of the new kids we’re seeing, the majority are saying they’re here because of the weed," Rames explained. "They’re traveling through. It is very unfortunate."

Furthermore, Denver's Salvation Army shelter for single men reported an increase in 18 to 25-year-olds, adding that a survey indicated that marijuana played a part in that upswing.  Some of those people are looking for work in the marijuana industry, but the Post says their criminal backgrounds prevent them from landing jobs in grow houses or stores. Murray Flagg of the Salvation Army’s Intermountain Division noted that some may be able to find work, but Denver's cost of living leaves them with few options. 

[via The Denver Post]

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