This brings back memories. I low key miss the drug market on hippie hill. We used to have the 'nugs' game where you had to try to sell the bums weed before they offered you drugs.
FWIW, the parent's comment matches my dad's sentiments about the city in the 60s/70s, but I wouldn't start a bar fight to defend his honor on this point. I would be genuinely curious to hear you elaborate on the changes. I live around the corner from the Upper Haight and it has always been one of my favorite parts of the city, but it has always had a lot of loafers doing nothing but drugs as long as I can remember.
Rich-kid hippies houseshare, hang out indoors after dark, and don't panhandle or shoplift groceries. They do smoke weed and maybe more, but their safety net is functioning. In their case, this life stage can reasonably be described as a cultural experience. Other than aesthetics, there's not much crossover with poor-kid hippies, because mooching tension is a major bummer.
Before the citywide affordability crisis, I think you were more likely to end up outdoors because you hit bottom than the other way around. The outdoor segment and the weed-dealing segment have always been more visible, though.
FWIW, the parent's comment matches my dad's sentiments about the city in the 60s/70s, but I wouldn't start a bar fight to defend his honor on this point. I would be genuinely curious to hear you elaborate on the changes. I live around the corner from the Upper Haight and it has always been one of my favorite parts of the city, but it has always had a lot of loafers doing nothing but drugs as long as I can remember.