#smoke-shop-moratorium

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#homelessness
Los Angeles
fromLos Angeles Times
39 minutes ago

Under L.A. mayor's $300-million homeless program, 40% have returned to the street

The Inside Safe program has seen a significant number of participants return to homelessness despite efforts to provide interim housing.
Los Angeles
fromLos Angeles Times
39 minutes ago

Under L.A. mayor's $300-million homeless program, 40% have returned to the street

The Inside Safe program has seen a significant number of participants return to homelessness despite efforts to provide interim housing.
#los-angeles
Remote teams
fromLos Angeles Times
19 hours ago

Two days in the office a month? L.A. city attorney candidates tussle over telework

Los Angeles City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto and challenger Marissa Roy have opposing views on office attendance policies for city attorneys.
Silicon Valley
fromLos Angeles Times
1 week ago

The inspiring, infuriating, even comic tale of how we defeated L.A.'s smog and why we may have to again

Los Angeles is resilient, facing challenges like fires and disasters while striving for recovery and improvement in air quality and community safety.
California
fromInsideHook
1 day ago

California Cracks Down on Luxury Car Registration Loopholes

High auto insurance rates and taxes drive some citizens to creatively handle vehicle registration, often leading to ethically dubious practices.
#prediction-markets
fromFortune
17 hours ago
Poker

Feds sue 3 states for trying to bring Kalshi and Polymarket under more control | Fortune

SF politics
fromFuturism
6 days ago

Law Seeks to Ban Public Officials From Making Polymarket Bets on Upcoming Bloodshed, Because Apparently We Live in a Complete Dystopia

Efforts are underway in the US to ban public officials from betting on prediction markets using nonpublic information related to military actions.
fromFortune
17 hours ago
Poker

Feds sue 3 states for trying to bring Kalshi and Polymarket under more control | Fortune

SF politics
fromFuturism
6 days ago

Law Seeks to Ban Public Officials From Making Polymarket Bets on Upcoming Bloodshed, Because Apparently We Live in a Complete Dystopia

Efforts are underway in the US to ban public officials from betting on prediction markets using nonpublic information related to military actions.
US Elections
fromLos Angeles Times
1 day ago

House Democrats to hold California 'shadow hearings' on midterm election security

California Democrats are holding hearings to defend state election systems against Trump's fraud allegations and threats of intervention.
SF politics
fromTruthout
1 day ago

CA Should Send Prisoners Home Instead of Spending Millions on New Facilities

California's prison reform focuses on expensive new facilities rather than effective rehabilitation, with minimal budget allocation for actual rehabilitation programs.
Public health
fromwww.amny.com
1 day ago

Op-Ed | Governor's Hochul's tobacco tax will reduce teen nicotine addiction | amNewYork

Governor Hochul's proposed tobacco tax aims to reduce teen vape use and protect youth from nicotine addiction.
LA real estate
fromtherealdeal.com
1 day ago

LA's 17.8% resi progress lags state-mandated production as clock ticks

Los Angeles is significantly behind in housing development, achieving only 17.8% of its state-mandated goal for new units.
US politics
fromLos Angeles Times
2 days ago

'Amateur hour at the U.S. attorney's office': L.A. prosecutors face more losses in protest cases

Prosecutors faced significant challenges in two separate trials for assault on federal officers in Los Angeles, with one case potentially dismissed due to discovery issues.
#california
fromThe Forward
2 weeks ago
California

'Buffer zones' come to California, as a lawmaker proposes limiting protests near houses of worship

Law
fromwww.businessinsider.com
3 days ago

California's top lawyer explains why he hasn't sued Kalshi like Nevada and Arizona

California's Attorney General emphasizes state sovereignty in regulating prediction markets amid ongoing legal battles across the US.
US Elections
fromLos Angeles Times
3 days ago

Californians say democracy is in peril, state should enact voting rights protections, poll shows

Two-thirds of California voters believe democracy is under attack, with strong support for a state Voting Rights Act following recent Supreme Court decisions.
LA real estate
fromwww.housingwire.com
4 days ago

California bills target condo deposits and defect liability

California lawmakers are considering bills to reduce barriers for condominium construction, addressing deposit limits and construction defect liability.
California
fromThe Forward
2 weeks ago

'Buffer zones' come to California, as a lawmaker proposes limiting protests near houses of worship

A California bill aims to create a 100-foot buffer zone around houses of worship to protect congregants from protests and intimidation.
fromThe Verge
2 days ago

New York lawmakers want 3D-printer companies to block the creation of 'ghost guns'

"You can't print counterfeit money. We don't let you do that, so why would we let you print lethal guns?"
Intellectual property law
Silicon Valley
fromLos Angeles Times
3 days ago

'You're a liar.' Why the world's biggest building boom has run into a wall in California

Public opposition to data centers in California is rising, impacting investment and job creation in the state.
#cannabis-legalization
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago
Germany news

Success or total flop'? Report on Germany's cannabis legalisation fails to settle debate

Germany's cannabis legalization has sparked debate over its effects on consumption, youth welfare, and organized crime, with mixed results reported so far.
fromwww.dw.com
3 days ago
Germany news

Germany: CDU/CSU calls for cannabis rethink 2 years in

Conservative ministers in Germany criticize the 2024 cannabis legalization, citing rising criminality and declining addiction prevention efforts among youth.
Germany news
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Success or total flop'? Report on Germany's cannabis legalisation fails to settle debate

Germany's cannabis legalization has sparked debate over its effects on consumption, youth welfare, and organized crime, with mixed results reported so far.
Germany news
fromwww.dw.com
3 days ago

Germany: CDU/CSU calls for cannabis rethink 2 years in

Conservative ministers in Germany criticize the 2024 cannabis legalization, citing rising criminality and declining addiction prevention efforts among youth.
#cannabis
Cannabis
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

New York's 600th licensed cannabis store opens on Upper West Side amid hopes for budding industry, fewer regulatory hiccups | amNewYork

Pure Blossoms Cannabis is New York's 600th licensed dispensary, symbolizing community and creativity in the cannabis culture after five years of legalization.
Cannabis
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Is New York's cannabis business really flying high?

New York's cannabis market faces challenges from a thriving grey market and complicated legal status, impacting legitimate businesses and public perception.
Cannabis
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

New York's 600th licensed cannabis store opens on Upper West Side amid hopes for budding industry, fewer regulatory hiccups | amNewYork

Pure Blossoms Cannabis is New York's 600th licensed dispensary, symbolizing community and creativity in the cannabis culture after five years of legalization.
Cannabis
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Is New York's cannabis business really flying high?

New York's cannabis market faces challenges from a thriving grey market and complicated legal status, impacting legitimate businesses and public perception.
Higher education
fromwww.berkeleyside.org
5 days ago

This new California law will offer college students rehab before discipline for overdosing

California college students will have more protections and resources when experiencing an overdose starting July 2025.
Environment
fromEarth911
5 days ago

The West Is Burning Before Summer Even Starts, and It's No Accident

Nevada set a new March high temperature record of 106°F, exceeding the previous record by 6 degrees during a significant heat wave.
Mission District
fromKqed
6 days ago

San Francisco RV Permit Program Leaves Some Residents Homeless Despite Promises | KQED

Permits for RVs aim to assist occupants, but outreach gaps hinder support for those living in vehicles.
LA real estate
fromtherealdeal.com
2 days ago

Campaign promises offered as assurances on California's troubled resi insurance market

Pacific Palisades residents face a $1.5 million gap between insurance payouts and rebuilding costs after last year's fire.
US politics
fromwww.npr.org
2 days ago

Trump administration sues three states over attempts to regulate prediction markets

The Trump administration filed lawsuits against three states to assert federal control over prediction markets, challenging state regulations and gambling laws.
Intellectual property law
fromReadWrite
2 days ago

CFTC lawsuit targets states over prediction markets ban

Federal regulators are suing Arizona, Illinois, and Connecticut to assert authority over event contracts against state regulations labeling them as unlicensed gambling.
California
fromABC7 San Francisco
3 days ago

California Gaming Assoc. sues over state-proposed restrictions to player-dealer games in card rooms

The California Gaming Association is suing to block new rules that threaten card rooms' operations and revenue.
#medicinal-cannabis
Medicine
fromThe Conversation
1 week ago

This medicinal cannabis website bends the rules. Take our quiz to see why

Advertising prescription medicines directly to consumers in Australia, including medicinal cannabis, is prohibited and frequently violated by providers.
Medicine
fromThe Conversation
1 week ago

This medicinal cannabis website bends the rules. Take our quiz to see why

Advertising prescription medicines directly to consumers in Australia, including medicinal cannabis, is prohibited and frequently violated by providers.
Canada news
fromwww.cbc.ca
1 week ago

'We're not going to reverse': Ontario premier, health minister defend supervised consumption site closures | CBC News

Ontario will not reverse the decision to close supervised drug consumption sites despite concerns from former mayors and advocates.
Law
fromReadWrite
4 days ago

Ohio challenges Kalshi sports contracts appeal

Ohio is challenging Kalshi's operation of sports-related contracts, asserting it violates state gambling regulations and lacks legal grounds for an injunction.
UK politics
fromReadWrite
1 week ago

Australia gambling reform delay sparks youth harm fears

Public health advocates demand urgent government action on gambling reform to protect young Australians from harm and advertising exposure.
Poker
fromReadWrite
5 days ago

New York's Hochul proposes stricter youth online gambling rules

New York plans to enhance online gambling oversight to protect youth and prevent addiction.
Los Angeles
fromLos Angeles Times
1 week ago

He was busted for gun possession. Now he's running for L.A. City Council

Estuardo Mazariegos believes his past gun conviction enhances his candidacy for Los Angeles City Council, connecting him with justice-impacted community members.
US politics
fromLos Angeles Times
4 days ago

Most California voters still disapprove of Trump's immigration crackdown, poll shows

Two-thirds of California voters disapprove of Trump's immigration policies, with concerns about potential detentions affecting many families.
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg warns New York behind the curve' in efforts to stop ghost guns from being produced and used in crime | amNewYork

Bragg stated, 'If you were going to buy or sell an illegal gun, why would you go and do it another way? This is how you would move illegal guns. It's the quickest, safest way from law enforcement detection.'
Law
#no-kings
fromStreetsblog
5 days ago
California

No Kings Rallies Throughout California - Streetsblog California

Record attendance of 8 million at No Kings rallies across the U.S., with significant participation in California's major cities.
fromJezebel
5 days ago
US politics

Your TL;DR for This Weekend's No Kings Protests

Over 8 million Americans participated in 'No Kings' protests against the administration's actions, marking a significant increase in public dissent.
California
fromStreetsblog
5 days ago

No Kings Rallies Throughout California - Streetsblog California

Record attendance of 8 million at No Kings rallies across the U.S., with significant participation in California's major cities.
US politics
fromJezebel
5 days ago

Your TL;DR for This Weekend's No Kings Protests

Over 8 million Americans participated in 'No Kings' protests against the administration's actions, marking a significant increase in public dissent.
fromLos Angeles Times
2 weeks ago

California, other states sue to block Trump effort to roll back fair housing protections

In effect, the Trump administration is attempting to roll back civil rights enforcement in housing at the federal level, and pressure states to weaken their own protections as well. That's not just bad policy, it's unlawful.
SF LGBT
Law
fromAxios
4 days ago

Supreme Court rejects Colorado's conversion therapy ban

Conversion therapy significantly increases suicide risk among young people, while a court ruling affirms free speech protections for licensed professionals.
#kratom-ban
Boston
fromBoston.com
3 weeks ago

Boston City Council moves toward potential kratom ban

Boston City Council members are preparing to ban kratom products due to health risks, particularly synthetic versions containing high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine that have caused deaths.
Boston
fromBoston.com
3 weeks ago

Boston City Council moves toward potential kratom ban

Boston City Council members are preparing to ban kratom products due to health risks, particularly synthetic versions containing high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine that have caused deaths.
Medicine
fromwww.npr.org
2 weeks ago

Sparse evidence for cannabis to treat mental health conditions highlights research gap

A comprehensive review of 45 years of cannabis research finds little to no high-quality evidence supporting marijuana's effectiveness for treating anxiety, depression, or PTSD, despite widespread medical use for these conditions.
Environment
fromStreetsblog
3 weeks ago

The Smog President Takes California to Court - Streetsblog California

The Trump Administration sued California to block its vehicle emissions standards and zero-emission vehicle requirements, arguing states lack authority to regulate fuel economy.
Law
fromnews.bitcoin.com
5 days ago

Washington State Targets Kalshi in Illegal Online Betting Lawsuit

Washington's lawsuit against Kalshi claims its binary event contracts constitute illegal gambling under state law.
fromCard Player
3 weeks ago

California Cardrooms File A Lawsuit To Block New Blackjack Rules - Poker News

Attorney General (Rob) Bonta's regulations threaten to eliminate more than half of California's cardroom jobs and wipe out a critical source of revenue for dozens of cities. These games have operated legally for decades under multiple attorneys general, yet one public official is now moving to shut them down without identifying a single public safety concern or addressing the 1,764 public comments about these regulations.
Poker
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 weeks ago

California's new war on drugs': thousands arrested, few get treatment, data shows

Proposition 36, a state ballot measure, enacted harsher penalties for minor theft and drug offenses, with proponents pledging the crackdown would lead to mass treatment to keep people alive, out of jail, and off our streets. Case records, however, suggest the state is largely failing to meet the central goal of getting people help and instead conducting mass arrests and incarcerating more people with addiction.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
2 weeks ago

Suspending gas tax, reducing refinery regulations pushed by two Democrats running for governor

Standing in front of a gas pump in a video posted to social media, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said the costs are "becoming an emergency for working families, and I think we ought to act like it." The moderate Democrat called on state lawmakers to suspend California's gas tax, which at 61 cents per gallon is the highest in the nation.
California
California
fromCalifornia Post
3 weeks ago

Gavin Newsom's law grants parole to pedo with 300-year sentence

A California sex offender convicted of molesting multiple children faces early release under a 2020 law allowing parole for inmates 50+ who served 20+ years, sparking criticism of the elderly parole system.
fromUpper East Side, NY Patch
4 weeks ago

Unlicensed Weed Shop Gets Shut Down On The UES, City Officials Say

During the inspection, deputies observed cannabis and THC products displayed for sale on the shop's front counter and in a storage room behind the sales counter. Investigators ultimately seized 84.6 pounds of cannabis and THC products, including 15 pounds of cannabis flower, 63.2 pounds of edibles and 6.4 pounds of vape products, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Cannabis
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

When Legalization Meets Reality

In early February, Canadian researchers reported that rates of severe mental illness among young people have risen alongside increased access to high-potency cannabis (Callaghan, et al., 2022). Around the same time, a new book, A Killing in Cannabis (Kohn, 2024), revisited a 2019 California murder and highlighted how violence tied to the marijuana trade has persisted even after legalization. On February 9, 2024, an opinion piece from the New York Times editorial board
Mental health
SF politics
fromsfist.com
1 month ago

SF Supervisor Wants to Ban the Sale of Nitrous Oxide in San Francisco

San Francisco Supervisor Danny Sauter proposes banning nitrous oxide sales despite zero deaths from the substance compared to 750 fentanyl deaths annually.
Cannabis
fromLos Angeles Times
1 month ago

L.A. cannabis businesses owe $400 million. The city may get only $30 million

Los Angeles cannabis businesses owe $400 million in back taxes and fees, but an amnesty program would allow them to pay taxes over three years while forgiving late fees and interest, resulting in only $30 million collected by the city.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
1 month ago

Legislators eye new prevention efforts in fire-scarred California: 'A tipping point'

California legislators introduced a dozen bills to prevent wildfires and reduce damage following devastating January fires that killed 31 people and caused $250 billion in losses.
fromThe New Yorker
1 month ago

High Times, Flying Once More

Last year, he and a partner, Matt Stang, purchased High Times, a fifty-plus-year-old cannabis culture brand that had fallen into receivership, for three and a half million dollars. They are in the process of reviving the High Times print magazine, which once published Charles Bukowski and William S. Burroughs, as a quarterly. The relaunch issue, featuring the rapper Rick Ross on the cover, is out this month.
Cannabis
California
fromSFGATE
1 month ago

Newsom blames kratom for 27 deaths as California seizes millions in products

California's government seized over 3,300 kratom and 7-OH products worth $5 million, declaring them illegal due to links with addiction, overdose, and 242 deaths between 2020 and 2022.
fromABC7 San Francisco
1 month ago

SF mayor signs legislation for officers to arrest drug users, send them to RESET Center

"If you use drugs on our streets we will arrest you, but with this new resource we will also give those suffering from addiction a real chance to choose recovery," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
Public health
New York City
fromQNS
2 months ago

New York's Office of Cannabis Management shuts down illegal weed shop in Flushing - QNS

NYS OCM shut an unlicensed Flushing cannabis shop after an undercover inspection found roughly 2,000 illegal cannabis products hidden in a concealed compartment.
fromReadWrite
1 month ago

San Francisco cracks down on drug and gambling dens

Most businesses contribute positively to our neighborhoods, but a handful of late-night retail establishments, like the ones we have shut down, attract significant criminal activity. The nighttime safety ordinance has been helpful in putting these stores on our radar and giving us additional tools to shut down problematic businesses. SFPD has been an incredible partner in this work to eradicate drug activity and protect our communities.
San Francisco
Wellness
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 months ago

How Cannabis is Shaping Wellness Trends in 2026

Cannabis has become a mainstream, science-backed cornerstone of personalized wellness, offering therapeutic benefits integrated into products, practices, and holistic health routines.
fromTasting Table
2 months ago

A California Law Will Change How You See Menus Beginning July 2026 - Tasting Table

The law was part of a state senate bill that called for the amendment of the California Retail Food Code. The bill was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2025 and it comes into effect this July. That means from this summer forward, Californians can expect to see milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans listed as an ingredient on major restaurant menus.
Food & drink
#sobering-center
fromsfist.com
1 month ago
SF politics

Lurie Moves Ahead With RESET' Center Drug Sobering Facility, Even as City Attorney Questions Its Legality

fromsfist.com
1 month ago
SF politics

Lurie Moves Ahead With RESET' Center Drug Sobering Facility, Even as City Attorney Questions Its Legality

fromNew York Post
1 month ago

Exclusive | Minor loophole: NYC Council bill could prevent 'young people' who commit crimes from getting arrested

A far-left Brooklyn pol is hoping the third time's a charm with socialist Zohran Mamdani now NYC mayor as she pushes legislation that could give "young people" carte blanche to commit crimes without fear of being arrested. The legislation, reintroduced for a third time on Jan. 29 by Democratic Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, would require that "young people" be "diverted" to "community-based organizations to receive services in lieu of criminal enforcement."
US politics
Public health
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

Is Vaping a Harmless Way to Stop Smoking?

Nicotine vaping increases quit rates versus other NRT but poses health risks and unknown long-term effects that must be balanced against smoking cessation benefits.
SF politics
fromwww.mediaite.com
1 month ago

OMG': San Francisco Mayor Stuns With Announcement to End Drug Use On the Streets

San Francisco will arrest public drug users and funnel them into the RESET Center, combining rapid enforcement with health-focused sobering and treatment connections.
Public health
fromwww.ocregister.com
2 months ago

Will there be reform for California's fraud-plagued addiction treatment in 2026?

California's addiction treatment system remains poorly regulated, allowing profiteering patient-brokers and substandard private programs despite partial reforms.
Environment
fromMail Online
2 months ago

Stay indoors advisories issued for thousands across multiple US states

Widespread hazardous PM2.5 levels from wood burning, traffic, and trapped emissions are causing serious health risks across multiple U.S. regions.
Environment
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 months ago

Letters: If polluters paid for damage, state's deficit would be less

Fossil fuel companies should pay for climate damages; California can accelerate electrification using abundant renewable electricity to protect public health and reduce costs.
Public health
fromKqed
2 months ago

San Francisco Nets Nearly $4 Million From Zyn Sellers in Crusade Against Flavored Tobacco | KQED

San Francisco won nearly $4 million in settlements forcing online sellers to block city addresses and stop selling flavored nicotine pouches.
#open-container-law
fromKqed
2 months ago
Law

Cops Have to Treat Marijuana in Your Car Differently After New California Supreme Court Ruling | KQED

fromKqed
2 months ago
Law

Cops Have to Treat Marijuana in Your Car Differently After New California Supreme Court Ruling | KQED

fromLos Angeles Times
2 months ago

A push to end a fractured approach to post-fire contamination removal

The patchwork efforts to identify and safely remove contamination left by the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires has been akin to the Wild West. Experts have given conflicting guidance on best practices. Shortly after the fires, the federal government suddenly refused to adhere to California's decades-old post-fire soil-testing policy; California later considered following suit. Meanwhile, insurance companies have resisted remediation practices widely recommended by scientists for still-standing homes.
Public health
Public health
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

How to Talk About Vaping Risk with Teens

Teen vaping is widespread, often leads to nicotine addiction, and effective parent conversations should build trust rather than rely on fear.
fromSlate Magazine
1 month ago

Everyone Should Have One Vice That Doesn't Kill Them. But if These People Don't Shut Up About Theirs, I Might Turn Homicidal.

This is part of Wet February, a series about America's increasingly muddled relationship with drinking-and how to sip your way through it wisely and well. Alcohol is my only vice, and boy, it does not feel good to have my vice validated by the new food pyramid, which also suggests that steak is the foundation of a healthy diet. But I can't deny that a happy hour martini makes me feel as if I sparkle,
Cannabis
Public health
fromwww.mediaite.com
1 month ago

Time to Acknowledge Reality': The New York Times Warns America Has a Marijuana Problem'

Widespread marijuana legalization has increased frequent use, addiction, health harms, and public-safety problems requiring stricter regulation rather than full recriminalization.
fromwww.dailynews.com
1 month ago

No police are needed to enforce California's new no-mask law, senators say

While police chiefs say they won't enforce the state's new ban on masks for law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, California lawmakers say there's another way to penalize officers who conceal their identities. Senate Bill 627, known as the No Secret Police Act, can be enforced through the court system, creating a civil penalty for officers who violate the law, the bill's authors say.
California
California
fromLos Angeles Times
2 months ago

California bill increases penalties for fake liens used to harass politicians, businesses

California bill would increase penalties for fraudulent liens, making filers liable for triple court fees to deter harassment of officials, businesses, and court employees.
California
fromSFGATE
2 months ago

'Gone overnight': Newsom launches major crackdown on kratom and 7-OH

California declared kratom and 7-OH illegal and launched a major statewide crackdown that removes products from retail shelves and moves toward enforcement.
fromKqed
2 months ago

New California Insurance Laws on the Books in 2026 | KQED

Gov. Gavin Newsom noted that insurance companies are returning or expanding coverage in California in his final State of the State speech, but acknowledged that there is still "a lot of work to do here." His latest budget includes a financing program to help survivors of wildfires bridge the gap between insurance payouts and the costs of rebuilding. "This will help get survivors back in their homes much, much faster," he said.
California
California
fromLos Angeles Times
2 months ago

Loose cannabis is like spilled beer, not open container in car, state Supreme Court rules

California's open-container rule for cannabis applies only when the product is rolled or otherwise ready to consume, not to loose crumbs in a vehicle.
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