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 ›

The prison private sector is big business. So big, in fact, California will spend $60 million a year for three years to send 2,600 prisoners to GEO Group Inc.'s facility in Michigan, according to Neon Tommy's Paresh Dave. more ›

With 100% of the precincts counted, a picture is emerging to illustrate just what parts of California favored passing Proposition 19, and legalizing recreational marijuana. This map, published by the Secretary of State, shows that although the vote was not heavily weighted in one direction, with 53.9% of the vote for opposed and 46.1% of the vote in favor, just a handful of counties had a majority Yes vote. Los Angeles County, however, was not one of them, and the vote split was very similar to the statewide rate, 47.4% in favor to 52.6% opposed. more ›

Oaksterdam University's Richard Lee, the author of the failed ballot proposition that would have legalized marijuana, says an initiative to legalize marijuana will be once again voted on during the 2012 election. "We just need to do some research and see why people voted 'no,'" he told the Sacramento Bee. "We did get more votes than (gubernatorial candidate) Meg Whitman. And she spent more than $140 million. We need to look at the bright side." Prop 19 lost 54% to 46%. Although Lee exhausted his savings on it, he said the next time donors will come in earlier. "We will be coming back, stronger than ever," he said. more ›

As of 12:25 a.m., with 56% of precincts reporting, analysts and news sources had called the results for all of California's nine propositions. Four won, five lost. Not many surprises here: more ›

As exit polls indicated, it didn't pass, but it definitely fueled a conversation Americans will continue to have for a long, long time. Prop 19, which sought to legalize and tax marijuana, has lost, according to numerous sources, including KPCC and the Sacramento Bee. As of 10:04 p.m., with 20.3% precincts reporting, it was losing 56.1% to 43.9%. more ›

It may be election day, but the Los Angeles City Council has their work cut out for them as this week is the last to approve items for the March 8th, 2011 ballot. That's the municipal election where half of the City Council is up for grabs along with a number of measures. A couple ballot items are already approved -- like pension reform -- but at this morning's meeting, several more will be considered. more ›

As mentioned in Sunday's edition of Extra, Extra, the latest Field Poll has the Proposition to legalize marijuana on the losing end of the spectrum. According to the pre-election poll (.pdf), which last week found Democrats leading Republicans in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, "opponents now outnumber supporters 49% to 42%, a reversal from mid-September, when it was leading 49% to 42%." 1,092 likely voters were surveyed and there is a +/- 3.2% margin of error. more ›

41 years ago today at UCLA, the first ever e-mail was sent. The message landed at Stanford University in Silicon Valley where decades later Google made home with the slogan "Don't Be Evil." The man behind phrase, and behind Adsense and Gmail, is Paul Buchheit. more ›

Stoners are notoriously chilled out, which is exactly the vibe this set of spoof PSA ads a group called the B-Squad has released about Proposition 19, which, if passed, would legalize marijuana in California. more ›

With the election just over a week away comes a blitz of new TV ads, many of them from campaigns the wider audience hasn't heard of. Case in point: Prop 19, the effort to legalize marijuana. On Tuesday, the first Yes on 19 ad will appear in the Los Angeles market (and apparently is the first TV spot from either side of the issue). It features former San Jose police chief and current research fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution Joseph McNamara. more ›

Well, the word "bud" is in Buddha. Today, organizers of Saturday's first-ever Buddhafest held a press conference in which celebrities and other big names spoke in favor of Proposition 19, the November 2nd ballot measure to legalize marijuana. more ›

The same poll that said Jerry Brown has an eight point lead over Meg Whitman also says Prop 19, which would legalize marijuana, will lose. It found that 44% of likely voters are for it while 49% are against it, leaving 7% undecided. more ›

The movement to legalize marijuana in California via Prop 19 is worrying the federal government. Last week they, along with L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, vowed to enforce federal drug laws, even the November 2nd ballot measure passes. And today, the Associated Press has learned that the Obama Administration will sue. more ›

So, does marijuana impair driving? That's the question City Attorney Carmen Trutanich wants to answer in his crusade against Prop 19, the November ballot initiative that seeks to legalize and tax marijuana in California. This week, Trutanich and the LAPD invited LA Times columnist Steve Lopez and... more ›

The Obama Administration this week said they would "vigorously enforce" marijuana laws, even if voters approve Prop 19, which would legalize the drug for recreational use. "Let me state clearly that the Department of Justice strongly opposes Proposition 19. If passed, this legislation will greatly complicate federal drug enforcement efforts to the detriment of our citizens," Holder wrote in a letter to former chiefs of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the LA Times. more ›

It's the spook-spookiest season of all! This Saturday, the New Beverly shocks from dusk to dawn with the Third Annual All Night Horror Show. $20 nets 12 hours of terror: Dario Argento's Tenebrae ("a beautiful ballet of deplorable violence and stunning photography"), Lucio Fulci's Gates of Hell ("[a] mastery of atmosphere [... and] straight-up, old school gore"), The Evil ("one of the best haunted house pictures ever"), a sinful secret film, big-bad-buzzard-bomb The Giant Claw, The Breeders ("packed with tasteless scenes [and] an overabundance of female nudity") and killer genie flick The Outing. As if that weren't enough, there's tons of trailers and other goodies between the scares. Last year was standing room only - so get there early, and stay there late! If you're cursed with a curfew (or a case of the sleepies), the Cinefamily features two more Argento films on Thursday evening, and a pajama party Saturday night which pairs Neve Campbell vehicle The Craft with campy musical Teen Witch. Senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell will be in attendance if her schedule allows. more ›

In what used to be her daughter's bedroom, Joanne Clarke of Costa Mesa, is now raising marijuana plants. She opened up her home to reporter for a piece on the current crop of legal at-home growers of the medicinal plant, which is published in today's LA Times. more ›

There's a little talked-about aspect of Proposition 19, the November ballot measure that would legalize and tax marijuana in California. You can find it near the bottom of the initiative language (.pdf) talking about allowing the state legislature to amend the prop -- that is, if approved by voters -- to regulate it statewide, but only if the intent is to "further the purposes of the Act." more ›

Meg Whitman has announced her position on the propositions on California's November ballot, reports the OC Register. The Republican Governor-hopeful is saying no to pot, repealing a tax break for businesses, and a tax to support state parks. more ›

It became somewhat of a "he said, she said" situation yesterday at a legislative hearing about Prop 19, the November ballot measure that would legalize marijuana in California. A group of medical marijuana advocates said it would do more harm for patients than help. more ›

As rumored in the past few weeks, the powerful Service Employees International Union of California is readying to officially endorse Prop 19, which would legalize and tax marijuana. It's not official yet, but sources are confirming it to the New York Times, which notes that the endorsement offers "the proposition a shot of mainstream legitimacy as well as a potential financial and organizational lift." The group has 700,000 members, making it the largest statewide group. more ›

How will legalizing marijuana via Prop 19 effect California's budget? What about crime? Is it effective drug policy? These topics and more will be discussed tomorrow in Sacramento at a joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly Committees on Public Safety. Per state law, legislative committees must hold public hearings on ballot measures. For two hours on Tuesday morning, politicians, state employees and experts -- ACLU, Rand Corporation, etc -- will convene in Sacramento. Want to watch it? It should be (no guarantees here, though) streamed live online via The California Channel. more ›

With 2009 national crime statistics released by the FBI on Tuesday, marijuana advocates are once again pointing out that enforcement on the drug continues to drain resources. In 2009, marijuana-related arrests increased by 8%. more ›

With Prop 19, the marijuana legalization effort, heading to the November ballot, there's a lot being thrown out on both sides of the issue. USC's Neon Tommy has done a fact check regarding statements from proponents of the yes and no sides, which is definitely needed in any campaign. more ›

Los Angeles County's elected Sheriff today upped his fight against marijuana, calling most medical marijuana dispensaries criminal enterprises. "Millions of dollars are being made for profit, and it's all illegal," Lee Baca said, according to the Associated Press. more ›

The latest Survey/USA poll conducted for a handful of California TV stations, including KABC-TV locally, continues to show that Republicans have the lead. That's a pretty consistent theme if you take a look at other recent polls. The poll, which surveyed 569 likely voters, also found that the legalizing marijuana initiative, Prop 19, would pass. more ›

Two prominent California names will co-chair the campaign against Prop 19, the ballot measure that would legalize marijuana in the Golden State, the prop's opposition announced today. And it didn't take long for the two, both Senator Dianne Feinstein and L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, to get to work on the issue. more ›

In an effort to raise some cash for Prop 19, which would legalize marijuana in California, backers today announced their online store. "Yes We Cannabis" t-shirts, mugs and hats can all be yours for a low, low price. more ›

Just Say Now, the pro-pot legalization group using the web to mobilize support, have found a new home for the very same ads that were yanked by Facebook earlier this month. The ads are now running on Google. more ›