Justice

Bill would block California police from joining feds in ‘legal pot’ busts

While uncertainty mounts over how the Trump administration will handle legal marijuana in California, a group of Democratic state lawmakers are pushing a bill that would prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities in investigating state-licensed pot growers and sellers.

By

Matt Levin

• March 28, 2017

Justice

New look at how local jails lock up deportable immigrants

Update: On Oct 5, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a scaled-down version of SB 29— placing a moratorium on local governments entering into new immigration detention contracts with federal immigration authorities or private corporations. Trash-strewn cells, moldy showers, broken telephones, excessive use of solitary confinement, and “slimy, foul-smelling lunch meat.” These are the conditions that detainees […]

By

Ben Christopher

• March 28, 2017

Justice

AG warns of marijuana-linked violence; White House promises “greater enforcement” of drug laws

In another worrying sign for California's newly legalized marijuana industry, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions says the Justice Department is reviewing its hands-off policy toward enforcing federal anti-pot laws—and that he's seeing "real violence" linked to marijuana.

By

Matt Levin

• February 27, 2017

Justice

Why Trump’s pullback on transgender rights changes nothing within California

President Trump's action to rescind Obama-era protections for transgender school children drew quick rebuke from California lawmakers, but the dispute at this point is more symbolic than substantive.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• February 27, 2017

Justice

Senate confirms AG who calls legalizing pot a “tragic mistake”

The U.S. Senate has voted largely along party lines to confirm former Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as the nation's Attorney General. The 70-year-old Sessions has been a vocal critic of marijuana decriminalization for much of his political career—calling legalization a “tragic mistake” and vigorously criticizing the Obama administration’s hands-off attitude toward marijuana enforcement.

By

Matt Levin

• February 8, 2017

Justice

Trump on board as Congress considers requiring California to allow concealed-carry guns

California would be forced to allow out-of-state gun owners to pack concealed handguns if a bill with strong GOP backing clears Congress and is signed by President Trump. He has likened concealed-carry gun permits to drivers' licenses that should be honored across state lines.

By

Matt Levin

• February 3, 2017

Justice

Assembly debates bill to further restrict guns in schools

Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) has introduced legislation that would further restrict who can possess a firearm near a California school. Assembly Bill 424 would prohibit school district superintendents or other school officials from granting written permission to individuals who wish to carry a firearm near school grounds. With a few exceptions, California law bans the possession […]

By

Matt Levin

• January 31, 2017

Health

Branding Bud: Marijuana companies want California to issue trademarks for pot

The sandwich baggie brimming with buds is gradually becoming a thing of the past in California. In its place, an era of name-brand marijuana is emerging.Celebrities—including actress Whoopi Goldberg, rapper Snoop Dogg, rocker Melissa Etheridge and the family of reggae legend Bob Marley—are branding their own herb. Law firms have sprouted to help marijuana sellers […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• January 11, 2017

Politics

Gov. Brown forgives more felons in past 6 years than were pardoned in previous 30

“I made the worst mistake of my life.” “I had a drug and alcohol problem.” “I was just a kid with low self esteem and felt hopeless.” Those are the words people convicted of felonies in California wrote to Gov. Jerry Brown in recent years, asking him to pardon their crimes. Their clemency applications describe […]

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• December 21, 2016

Justice

Si el gobierno federal trata de identificar a inmigrantes deportables a partir de datos de California, el estado bloqueará el acceso

Desde que Maribel Solache comenzó a enseñar su propia versión de clases de manejo en español hace dos años —que se imparten en todo el Condado de San Diego— éstas han estado llenas. Ella calcula que ha ayudado a cerca de 3000 estudiantes a obtener sus licencias. Pero últimamente, la aprehensión ha sofocado el entusiasmo.”Más […]

By

Elizabeth Aguilera

• December 12, 2016