On last night's Jay Leno, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger talked about why he thought California's voters didn't pass Proposition 19, which would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state. The Governator says that Prop 19 was "written badly," and "went a little bit too far." But really, he told Leno, it's because he's already done so much to take the crime out of weed, like passing SB 1449, which makes carrying one ounce or less only an infraction. "No one cares if you smoke a joint or not," he added. Turns out, 53.9% of Californians do, Arnold! more ›

Get caught with marijuana these days and you might be in big trouble, but beginning next January, getting busted over one ounce or less and will be an infraction instead of the current misdemeanor punishment, according to the LA Times. That means no court cases and no jail time, but the fine would stay at up to $100. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill last night, but opposes Prop 19, which would legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state. more ›

It took less than 48 hours for a friend of LAist to bring the first V.C. 23123 infraction ticket into LAist HQ. And yes, 23123 is the much-vaunted "Hand-Held Wireless Telephone: Prohibited Use. "The phone rang and I naturally picked it up," said our friend. "My client said it'll be real quick. But it wasn't quick enough." The ticket doesn't indicate a dollar amount (and according to the driver, the phone was actually in his left hand) but according to code, the first 23123 infraction is a $20 fine (subsequent infractions are $50). Are Ofc. Lockett and others out staked out purely to pin the headsetless? more ›