The nation’s second-largest metropolis is poised to issue permits for legal “pot lounges” in the coming weeks; paving the way for Amsterdam-style coffee shops across Los Angeles.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the City of Angels is prepared to join San Francisco and Oakland in allowing the European-inspired shops; permitting patrons to purchase and smoke marijuana in a “social setting.”
“Since California voters legalized cannabis in 2016, some cities have embraced marijuana dispensaries, while others have actively fought against pot sales. The state is home to the largest legal pot market in the country, and proponents see lounges as the next step in embracing pot sales and creating avenues for safe use,” writes the Times.
“Consumption lounges are important because marijuana has been legalized, but where can people go to safely consume?” asked a pro-pot business manager from West Hollywood.
The moves comes as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the decriminalization of marijuana nationwide; allowing states to decide whether to permit the drug or not.
CALIFORNIA CHAOS: DOJ to INVESTIGATE Oakland Mayor After ICE TIP-OFF
The White House confirmed this week that the Department of Justice was launching an investigation into a California mayor who tipped-off illegal immigrants of impending ICE sweeps; calling the left-wing politicians actions “outrageous,” reports the Los Angeles Times.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called-out Oakland, California Mayor Libby Schaaf Thursday over her decision to publicly disclose imminent immigration crackdowns throughout the Bay Area, telling residents to be on the lookout for federal agents within their communities.
“I think it’s outrageous that a mayor would circumvent federal authorities and certainly put them in danger by making a move such as that,” said Sanders, adding that her actions were currently “under review” to see if she violated federal law.
“The Oakland mayor’s decision to publicize her suspicions about ICE operations further increased that risk for my officers and alerted criminal aliens — making clear that this reckless decision was based on her political agenda with the very federal laws that ICE is sworn to uphold,” said ICE’s acting director.
Oakland, like many other California municipalities, considers itself a ‘Sanctuary City,’ often shielding illegal immigrants and undocumented workers from federal authorities and border patrol agents.
CALIFORNIA CHAOS: Over 1 MILLION Illegal Immigrants Granted DRIVER’S LICENSES
The State of California has issued at least one million driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, the Department of Motor Vehicles announced Wednesday; raising new questions over the Golden State’s role in luring undocumented workers to the region.
According to the Sacramento Bee, California was forced to issue the identification cards following the passage of Assembly Bill 60 in 2013; demanding state officials hand out driver’s licenses to anyone who can prove they “reside” in the state, regardless of immigration status.
The law took effect starting in 2015.
“Immigrants are getting tested, licensed and insured and this is making our roads safer for everyone,” said the author behind the bill. “Today, we see the law working the way it was intended to and has dramatically improved the lives of a million immigrants and their families.”
California isn’t the only state in the union to issue licenses to illegal immigrants. Twelve states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico also issue identification cards to undocumented workers.
The DMV’s announcement comes as President Trump plans to deploy the US military to the southern border of the United States; saying troops will remain in the region until a border wall is “properly” built.