The issue focused on legislation aimed at legalizing marijuana for recreational use and decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot. Lawmakers opposed to legalization argued it would promote illegal drug trafficking. They also complained about criminal prosecutions under laws prohibiting smoking marijuana in public places.

Opponents included medical marijuana dispensaries that operate legally under state law. Marijuana advocates criticized lawmakers who oppose legalizing marijuana as outdated prohibitionists.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed the legalization measure into law Tuesday.Dear Reader, As you can imagine, more people