The drumbeat of disappointment over the slow start of legal marijuana in California keeps building with many dispensary owners, growers and local and state elected officials bewailing the robust health of the illegal cannabis black market.
Last week, state officials released the official tally of tax revenue in sales, excise and cultivation taxes in 2018 – the first year recreational cannabis sales were allowed under Proposition 64. The $345.2 million was about a third of what most outside analysts expected. Quarterly tax revenue gained steadily until the last three months of 2018, when it flattened out.
From a basic economics perspective, this is no surprise. Illegal sellers who are often lightly policed can offer marijuana for at least 20 percent less because they don’t have to pay taxes or regulatory fees or state-mandated packaging costs. Many illegal storefront dispensaries and delivery services don’t have to worry about start-up costs. They belong to long-established networks for buying and selling marijuana that emerged after state voters’ 1996 approval of medicinal marijuana use.
But the state’s Cannabis Advisory Committee is growing impatient with the reasons authorities and others give for the enduring strength of black market sales. In the committee’s first annual report, it decried what it called the “fragmented and uncoordinated” law enforcement response to the marijuana black market. The committee’s other big gripe is the slowness of local governments to allow recreational cannabis sales. Only about one-third of cities and counties have approved such sales, according to the Southern California News Group’s database.
While Gov. Gavin Newsom said recently that he will deploy 150 California National Guard troops to eradicate illegal growing in Northern California, he has otherwise long counselled patience. On the campaign trail in 2016 while running for governor, he said he thought it would take “five to seven years” for the legal recreational marijuana industry to settle in and thrive if Proposition 64 passed. This long view is reflected in his proposed 2019-2010 budget. It anticipates $355 million in cannabis tax revenue – only a 3 percent increase from the 2018 calendar year.
Tribes, cartels could pose threat to regulated CA pot
But the industry could have other headaches on the horizon as well. A recent analysis in the San Diego Union-Tribune noted some large marijuana seizures at the border in Imperial and San Diego counties that suggest Mexican drug cartels still see cannabis as lucrative even though in recent years they have largely focused on more easily imported drugs like opioids and methamphetamine.
“We are continuing to see more marijuana production in Mexico than we might expect with [California’s] legalization,” University of San Diego professor David Shirk told the newspaper.
The Mexican government has taken initial steps toward legalizing cannabis. That could have fallout for the Golden State by encouraging more pot farming in Mexico.
But there’s also one emerging wild card facing California’s recreational industry that state regulators don’t appear to have anticipated: That’s the possibility that Native American tribal lands not subject to state or federal laws could emerge as both cannabis cultivation and sales centers. Tribes could potentially enjoy a price advantage over legal shops that illegal sellers now do.
A recent Southern California News Group story noted that 24 state tribes, mostly in Southern California, had taken steps of varying degrees toward getting into the marijuana business. The Santa Ysabel tribe in northeast San Diego County reportedly already employs about 100 people in its cannabis greenhouses.
Chris Reed is a regular contributor to Cal Watchdog. Reed is an editorial writer for U-T San Diego. Before joining the U-T in July 2005, he was the opinion-page columns editor and wrote the featured weekly Unspin column for The Orange County Register. Reed was on the national board of the Association of Opinion Page Editors from 2003-2005. From 2000 to 2005, Reed made more than 100 appearances as a featured news analyst on Los Angeles-area National Public Radio affiliate KPCC-FM. From 1990 to 1998, Reed was an editor, metro columnist and film critic at the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in Ontario. Reed has a political science degree from the University of Hawaii (Hilo campus), where he edited the student newspaper, the Vulcan News, his senior year. He is on Twitter: @chrisreed99
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A recent increase in residential burglaries has been occurring in the city of Thousand Oaks and surrounding communities. These burglaries share some commonalities, including being located near open space.
Recently, residential properties have been targeted that are typically near open spaces, or have large open spaces or hiking trails to the rear of the residence. Several of these homes are within gated communities that employ private security. While this is an extra layer of security for the resident, it has not prevented the suspects from approaching the properties on foot through these open spaces and entering the backyards.
Suspects look for indicators that the residence is unoccupied and then force entry inside. A large number of these crimes have been occurring between 5 pm to 9 pm. Suspects have been targeting jewelry, small safes, and valuables, mostly within the master bedroom. It is possible in some cases that the suspects watched the residence and waited for the occupants to leave. Some of these victims discovered their home was burglarized after returning from dining out.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department is currently investigating these cases and taking additional measures to try and prevent further burglaries. The Thousand Oaks Police Department would also like homeowners and residents to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their property:
When leaving your home, leaving lights on inside can be a deterrent.
Install high quality interior and exterior cameras with clear day and night time resolution.
Have cameras cover common entry points such as front door, back windows and back sliding doors.
Choose camera systems that can alert you of activation with an app on your phone.
A camera which can capture vehicle license plates on the street can be very helpful.
It is also important to become familiar with your camera security system so that you can access and or download the footage if needed.
Remember to call 911 if you witness a crime or discover you are a victim of a crime. If you are away from your home and receive an alert from your camera system and confirm suspicious activity, make Sheriff’s Dispatch your first call at (805) 654-9511. If you call 911 from another jurisdiction, your call will be delayed while the agency answering routes your call to us.
While away, store your jewelry and valuables in a safe place such as a safe, separate hidden location, or security deposit box. Avoid keeping jewelry in easily accessible dresser drawers and night stands. If you choose to own a safe, having a high quality heavy safe that is bolted to the foundation is a better option. It may be a good option to photograph and document any valuable jewelry you own, so that in the unfortunate event it is stolen, a record is kept of the jewelry that is still outstanding. If you choose to keep currency in your home, be sure to also keep this in a secure place.
An alarm system which detects glass breakage is helpful. Motion sensor alarm systems that cover your master bedroom and entry points are a good option. Talk with your alarm system company about how they alert Police Dispatch to alarm activations to ensure police are notified in a timely manner and can respond appropriately. Some security systems can send alerts and live video to your smartphone, so you can in turn quickly notify Sheriff’s Dispatch of a crime in progress at your home.
Take note of the make, model, and license plate of any suspicious vehicles that are parked in the neighborhood that look unfamiliar. Immediately report suspicious persons that are trying to conceal their identity or are acting nervous. The Thousand Oaks Police Department requests that you do not approach suspicious persons or vehicles. Call Sheriff’s Dispatch at (805) 654-9511 to report suspicious activity, and a deputy will respond to investigate. Becoming a member of your neighborhood watch can allow you to participate in protecting your own community by reporting suspicious activity.
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Hueneme High’s record setting season ended with a loss to Southwest High of San Diego 54 to 35 in the State Finals. HHS played without two injured starters. Their record 20-10 playoffs included set a school record for wins. Major contributors are A. Ayala with 379 pts on the season, A. Asberry put up 230 pts this season, S. Lenos put up 223, L. Boyd put up 219 pts.
Most of the team this year is graduating, however based on JVs performance this year, they couldl continue to be a playoff threat for the foreseeable future.
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Ventura Police Department – Incident Press Release
On March 3rd at at 4:25 AM, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a robbery with a gun that had just occurred at the Circle K store at Circle K, 3506 E. Main St, Ventura.
Multiple VPD officers responded and attempted to locate the suspect, however the suspect was able to flee and his whereabouts are unknown.
Investigating officers determined that the suspect entered the store and made contact with the clerk. The suspect then withdrew a dark colored handgun and demanded money. The clerk complied and the suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled. The clerk was not injured during the commission of the robbery.
VPD Crime Scene Investigators responded and assisted in processing the scene.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the crime should contact Ventura Police Department at (805) 339-4416.
Suspect(s):Hispanic male adult, 20s, dark hair.
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For the first time in history, a commercially-built and operated American crew spacecraft and rocket, which launched from American soil, is on its way to the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off at 2:49 a.m. EST Saturday on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“Today’s successful launch marks a new chapter in American excellence, getting us closer to once again flying American astronauts on American rockets from American soil,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “I proudly congratulate the SpaceX and NASA teams for this major milestone in our nation’s space history. This first launch of a space system designed for humans, and built and operated by a commercial company through a public-private partnership, is a revolutionary step on our path to get humans to the Moon, Mars and beyond.”
Known as Demo-1, SpaceX’s inaugural flight with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is an important uncrewed mission designed to test the end-to-end capabilities of the new system. It brings the nation one-step closer to the return of human launches to the space station from the United States for the first time since 2011 – the last space shuttle mission. Teams still have work to do after this flight to prepare the spacecraft to fly astronauts. The best way to advance the system design was to fly this spacecraft and uncover any other areas or integrated flight changes that might be required.
The program demonstrates NASA’s commitment to investing in commercial companies through public-private partnerships and builds on the success of American companies, including SpaceX, already delivering cargo to the space station. Demo-1 is a critical step for NASA and SpaceX to demonstrate the ability to safely fly missions with NASA astronauts to the orbital laboratory.
“First a note of appreciation to the SpaceX team. It has been 17 years to get to this point, 2002 to now, and an incredible amount of hard work and sacrifice from a lot of people that got us to this point…I’d also like to express great appreciation for NASA,” said Elon Musk, CEO and lead designer at SpaceX. “SpaceX would not be here without NASA, without the incredible work that was done before SpaceX even started and without the support after SpaceX did start.”
The public-private partnership combines commercial companies’ unique, innovative approaches to human spaceflight and NASA’s decades-long experience in design, development and operations of a crew space system.
“We are watching history being made with the launch of the SpaceX Demo-1 mission,” said Steve Stich, launch manager and deputy manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “SpaceX and NASA teams have been working together for years, and now we are side-by-side in control rooms across the country for launch, in-orbit operations and, eventually, splashdown of the Crew Dragon right here off Florida’s coast.”
SpaceX controlled the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy’s Launch Control Center Firing Room 4, the former space shuttle control room, which SpaceX has leased as its primary launch control center. As Crew Dragon ascended into space, SpaceX commanded the Crew Dragon spacecraft from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the space station for a 6:05 a.m. Sunday, March 3 docking to the low-Earth orbit destination. Live coverage of the rendezvous and docking will air on NASA Television and the agency’s website beginning at 3:30 a.m. Coverage will resume at 8:30 a.m. with the hatch opening, followed at 10:45 a.m. with a crew welcoming ceremony.
Teams in the space station mission center at Johnson will monitor station crew members’ opening of the spacecraft hatch, entering Crew Dragon and unpacking the capsule.
Mission Objectives
All the launch pad and vehicle hardware, and the launch day operations, were conducted in preparation for the next flight with crew aboard, including the control teams and ground crews. The mission and testing continues once the Falcon 9 lifts off the pad.
During the spacecraft’s approach, in-orbit demonstrations will include rendezvous activities from a distance of up to 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), known as far field, and activities within one mile (1.6 kilometers), known as near field. As the spacecraft approaches the space station, it will demonstrate its automated control and maneuvering capabilities by reversing course and backing away from the station before the final docking sequence.
The docking phase, as well as the return and recovery of Crew Dragon, include many first-time events that cannot be totally modeled on the ground and, thus, are critical to understanding the design and systems ability to support crew flights. Previous cargo Dragon vehicles have been attached to the space station after capture by the station’s robotic arm. The Crew Dragon will approach to dock using new sensor systems, new propulsion systems and the new international docking mechanism to attach to the station’s Harmony module forward port, fitted with a new international docking adapter. Astronauts installed the adapter during a spacewalk in August 2016, following its delivery to the station in the trunk of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on its ninth commercial resupply services mission.
For Demo-1, Crew Dragon is carrying more than 400 pounds of crew supplies and equipment to the space station and will return some critical research samples to Earth. A lifelike test device named Ripley also will travel on the Crew Dragon, outfitted with sensors to provide data on potential effects on humans traveling in Crew Dragon.
For operational missions, Crew Dragon will be able to launch as many as four crew members and carry more than 220 pounds of cargo, enabling the expansion of the crew members, increasing the time dedicated to research in the unique microgravity environment, and returning more science back to Earth.
The Crew Dragon is designed to stay docked to station for up to 210 days, although the Crew Dragon used for this flight test will not have that capability. This spacecraft will remain docked to the space station only five days, departing Friday, March 8. After undocking from the station, Crew Dragon will begin its descent to Earth. Live coverage of the undocking will air on NASA Television and the agency’s website beginning at 2 a.m., with deorbit and landing coverage resuming at 7:30 a.m.
Additional spacecraft mission objectives include a safe departure from the station, followed by a deorbit burn and parachute deployment to slow the spacecraft before splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, off the Florida Space Coast. SpaceX’s recovery ship, Go Searcher, will retrieve Crew Dragon and transport it back to port. Teams will be closely monitoring the parachute system and entry control system operation, which have been changed from cargo Dragons to provide higher reliability for crew flights.
NASA and SpaceX will use data from Demo-1, along with planned upgrades and additional qualification testing, to further prepare for Demo-2, the crewed flight test that will carry NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station. NASA will validate the performance of SpaceX’s systems before putting crew on board for the Demo-2 flight, currently targeted for July.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is working with Boeing and SpaceX to design, build, test and operate safe, reliable and cost-effective human transportation systems to low-Earth orbit. Both companies are focused on test missions, including abort system demonstrations and crew flight tests, ahead of regularly flying crew missions to the space station. Both companies’ crewed flights will be the first times in history NASA has sent astronauts to space on systems owned, built, tested and operated by private companies.
Crowd gathers to watch as NASA and SpaceX make history by launching the first commercially-built and operated American crew spacecraft and rocket to the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off at 2:49 a.m. EST Saturday on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credits: NASA
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On March 2, 2019, at about 7:21 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were in the area of the 5200 block of S. J Street on an unrelated call for service when they observed suspicious activity in the alley. The officers made contact with a 13 year old male juvenile who was found to be in possession of two concealed, loaded firearms.
The firearms consisted of a shortened shotgun and a handgun, both of which were concealed in the waistband area. The juvenile was arrested for charges related to the illegal possession of firearms.
If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department or Ventura County Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also visit this site www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit at tip via text or email.
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A big Magic Show is coming to the Theater on High Street in Moorpark on Saturday March 16, 2019. There will be two performances, at 3 pm and at 7:30 pm.
Paul Dwork, Rotary’s Resident Magician, produces this show which has always sold out.
This annual event brings six great Magic Castle Magicians, an exciting line up of wonderful magicians who have performed all over the world.
Eric Buss, MC and Comedian
Ivan Pecel, Master of Juggling
Paul Dwork, The Magic of Merlin
Danny Cole, Illusionist & Quick Change Artist
Joseph Tran, Magic, Illusions & Comedy
Naathan Phan, Magic Asian Man
This will be Paul Dwork’s 36th year producing the charitable event. With all these excellent magicians performing six different kinds of magic, this is an amazing opportunity to see a wonderful show for children of all ages.
Tickets are available for $40 at Merlin’s Magic, 699 Mobil Ave, Camarillo, or call 805-388-7669, or email [email protected]. Seating is limited. Proceeds will benefit local charities through the Camarillo Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Rotary is a worldwide volunteer organization with more than 1.2 million members in 200 countries. Rotarians provide humanitarian services and build goodwill and peace in communities around the world. For more information, see www.rotary.org.
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Rev. Maddie Sifantus will be joined by musicians John Robles and Mariana Franco-Smith for the next Evening Gathering with Sound, Silence and Spoken Word at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula on Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 PM. The theme will be “Cairngorm.” This is a reflective time in our busy week to hear some beautiful music, share some silence and hear spoken word. Original poem by Atul Ranchod. Free, but with a free will offering to compensate our Gathering musicians.
The church is located at 740 E Main Street, at the intersection of Main and 8th Streets. The Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula is one of the oldest churches in Ventura County and one of the first Universalist churches established on the West Coast. It is the oldest church building in the city of Santa Paula and is the bearer of a proud liberal religious heritage that dates back to mid-18th century America. For more information, call 805-525-4670 or email [email protected]
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Planned Parenthood’s culture is “very dark” and pervades the abortion organization’s many clinics, a former Planned Parenthood employee told The Daily Caller News Foundation in a February interview.
Former employee Annette Lancaster described Planned Parenthood‘s culture as “very dark” and marked by “a lot of dark humor, a lot of dark jokes.” Lancaster started working as a health center manager for a Planned Parenthood clinic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 2015 and left after nine months. She was hired to do the clinic’s administrative work but landed in the procedure room shortly after beginning employment, Lancaster told TheDCNF.
“To the person who is thinking about going to Planned Parenthood to work, I would definitely advise them against it,” Lancaster said. “I would let them know that it would change them internally.”
“They would definitely, if they don’t see it, their friends and family would start to see a decline in and a demise in their personality,” she said. “It’s just not worth it,” Lancaster added.
Lancaster says Planned Parenthood’s distinct culture is the same across the board. “I know it’s a culture that’s universal from clinic to clinic,” she said. “We had workers that would come from other clinics to support our clinics on days where we were short-staffed, and it was the same type of dark humor and same type of personality.”
Other employees felt similarly, according to Lancaster. “Several of the other staff felt the same way,” she said.
Former employee Myra Kincaid echoed Lancaster’s statements. Since leaving Planned Parenthood, she’s been told stories nearly identical to her own from workers who have also left Planned Parenthood clinics in other states, Kincaid told TheDCNF.
Kincaid left Planned Parenthood after witnessing four babies fall out of a young girl who had begun a medication abortion. She contacted And Then There Were None, a group that helps abortion workers leave the industry.
Kincaid helped three other Planned Parenthood employees leave. At least five other employees also left Planned Parenthood immediately after Lancaster.
Planned Parenthood did not reply to TheDCNF’s request for comment.
