california

California Legislators Challenge Hemp Ban

Aug 28, 2006
California legislators have sent a bill to Gov. Schwarzenegger that would legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp, setting up a direct confrontation with federal drug authorities. The plant, which contains none of the hallucinogenic properties of marijuana, is considered a kind of miracle crop by farmers and entrepreneurs who seek to exploit its fast growth and myriad uses.

Heat Wave Kills 140 Californians

Aug 11, 2006
About 140 Californians died last month from a severe heat wave, the most casualties since 1955, when air conditioning became widespread. Officials were left scrambling to explain the inordinately high number of deaths, unusual for a place where people are used to the summer heat.
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The Clean Money Campaign Needs Your Help

Jun 17, 2006
A law working its way through the California Legislature would provide for full public funding of credible candidates in statewide races. This is the real-deal way to eliminate the ruinous influence of huge campaign contributions in elections. It's already working in a few states, and a victory in California could start a nationwide revolution. Check it out. Sign a petition. Join the cause.

The End of the Electoral College as We Know it?

Jun 1, 2006
The California Assembly passed a measure to pledge the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote (as opposed to giving its Electoral College votes to the winner of the California popular vote). This would come into effect only if enough other states passed similar measures. But if it happens, it will mean the end of the electoral college as we know it.

United Farm Workers Strike Back at the L.A. Times

Feb 4, 2006
The UFW refutes allegations that it exploits the legacy of Cesar Chavez Update No 1: Read how it took three phone calls from a congressman and a former cabinet secretary before the LA Times would meet with the UFW 2: Check out an executive summary of the UFW's charges 3: Marc Cooper on the UFW's threat to sue him over a negative column he wrote 4: The L Times prints several corrections to the story.

Reefer Madness, Cali Style

Feb 2, 2006
Mexican drug cartels have helped make California the largest domestic supplier of pot in the nation Seventy percent of the plants are growing in state and national parks zReportage magazine has an eye-opening photo essay and story.