- Newsmaker: Is Marijuana San Francisco-s Next Crop?
The State Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that Proposition 215, passed six years ago, protects growers and users of medical marijuana from criminal prosecution. In November, San Francisco voters will get a chance to make that city the first in the US to get into the pot-growing business. Rachel Gordon, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports on the move that could put the city in direct opposition to federal authorities. - Reporter-s Notebook: David Kalish Throws his Hat in the LAPD Chief-s Ring
David Kalish, one of 47 candidates to be LAPD chief, is a 27-year veteran of the force, whose broad range of assignments includes that of chief spokesman. Currently, he supervises 2000 people as Deputy Chief and Commander of Operations in the 125 square-mile West Bureau, which includes the Hollywood, Wilshire, Pacific and West LA areas. The openly gay, LA native shares his vision for the future of the LAPD.
Poverty and San Fernando Valley Secession
Opponents of breaking up the City of Los Angeles often charge that the affluent San Fernando Valley wants to separate itself from the urban poor. But the northeast Valley contains some of LA-s poorest neighborhoods, with unpaved roads that turn muddy in winter rain, streets without lighting, and homes with septic tanks instead of sewers. If the Valley becomes a separate city, will the -haves- in Encino and Sherman Oaks take better care of the -have-nots- in Pacoima and Sun Valley? We get two very different perspectives. Secession leader Richard Close, of Valley VOTE, says that it will. Former Mayor Richard Riordan, who currently serves as co-chair of LA United, is skeptical.