See the Veterans Day section pages 8-10! Signal Tribune thanks all vets for their service.
S IGNA L T R IBU N E Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and Signal Hill
VOL. XXXVIII NO. 46
Your Weekly Community Newspaper
November 11, 2016
Prop 64 passed.
Now what?
Law enforcement, LB advocates get ready for new reality of legalized marijuana. CJ Dablo Staff Writer
Senate.” Rep. Alan Lowenthal, the incumbent Democratic Congressmember from Long Beach, will be returning to the House of Representatives on behalf of the 47th District, having won 69.71 percent, or 67,629 votes. Republican Andy Whallon earned 30.29 percent, or 29,383 votes. In a phone interview with the Signal Tribune Wednesday afternoon, Lowenthal said it means a lot to him that the people of his district have supported him and he hopes to live up to their trust. The Signal Tribune asked the congressmember how he views the direction the government is heading, now that Trump has been elected president and Congress appears to have a Republican majority. “That’s a great question,” Lowenthal said. “I would hope that this
On Nov. 8, California voters passed Proposition 64, the statute that legalizes marijuana throughout the state for adults 21 and over. The Calif. Secretary of State’s office reported that as of Nov. 9, the law passed with 56 percent of the vote. While the results of the election still need to be certified, law-enforcement officials have acknowledged that the new law takes effect immediately. LA County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Bureau Capt. Jim Wolack said that there are significant changes in his department. “There’s a laundry list of violations that have now been decriminalized, and the punishment for others has been greatly reduced,” Wolack said in a phone interview. Simple possession of one ounce or less of marijuana was already considered a mere infraction, and those offenders only had to pay a $100 ticket. Wolack summed up the new philosophy from his department. “Now that this law has passed, I guess the best way to describe it would be that we’re handling it very much like alcohol possession,” Wolack added. “You’re not allowed to drink openly in public, just like you’re not allowed to smoke marijuana in public.” The law itself doesn’t allow selling marijuana without a license, and offenders could face up to six months in county jail and/or fines up to $500, according to the proposition’s analysis. Last year, California lawmakers had already approved a framework to develop licensing and regulations for medical cannabis. Regulations are expected to be in place by Jan. 1, 2018, according to the state’s Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation website. Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert noted that his office has prosecuted illegal medical-cannabis dispensary operators. He did note that he will be watching closely if illegal dispensaries do start operating in the city. “We’re going to approach these on a case-by-case basis,” Haubert said in a phone interview. “And it will depend on evidence gathered by the police de-
see ELECTION page 7
see PROP page 15
Photo by Johnny Romero
At Cal State Long Beach Tuesday evening, students assemble for a “peaceful protest” against the election of Donald Trump as president.
Kamala Harris
Alan Lowenthal
Patrick O’Donnell
Janice Hahn
Ricardo Lara
‘This country is stronger than any one political party’ Despite Republican dominance on federal level, local voters stick with Democratic incumbents. Cory Bilicko Managing Editor
While there may not have been many surprises on the regional political front in the Nov. 8 election– as several incumbents regained their seats– Donald J. Trump once again shocked many– this time by nullifying the projections of numerous national polls and newspaper predictions and galvanizing a surprisingly substantial base to make the open seat in the Oval Office his on Jan. 20, 2017. Although Republicans appear poised to take control of both the White House and Congress after Tuesday’s election, Democratic can-
didates prevailed on a more local lev- the registrar-recorder/county clerk’s el in the Long Beach-Signal Hill area. office. Despite Republican Trump winDemocrat Kamala Harris, the ning more elecstate’s current attoral-college votes torney general, for president, his grabbed a seat on Democratic opthe US Senate, havponent, Hillary ing earned 61.04 Clinton, won the percent of the vote popular vote naagainst another tionwide, and Democrat, Loretta in Los Angeles Sanchez, who got County, she gar38.96 percent, or nered 71.48 per795,561 votes. cent of the vote, Harris will rewhile the presplace Barbara Boxident-elect got er, who announced 23.45 percent. last year she would Donald Trump Libertarian candinot seek re-election. date Gary Johnson landed third, with “Together, we are going to lead 2.46 percent, followed by the Green the nation just as the state of CaliforParty’s Jill Stein earning 2.03 per- nia always has,” Harris wrote on her cent and the Party for Socialism and campaign website this week. “I am Liberation’s Gloria Estela La Riva honored by the trust you have placed receiving 0.58 percent, according to in me and ready to get to work in the
We Salute Our Veterans & All Those Who Serve! 1898 E Willow St. Signal Hill (562) 513-7001
Top off your Bundts-giving meal with your favorite flavor!