BRIAN MASER
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Yes, in this very spot! Call for details (310)
THE CONDO SALES LEADER • 310.314.7700
458-7737 CONDO SALES
CALL US FOR A FREE APPRAISAL • MASERCONDOSALES.COM
THURSDAY
12.28.17 Volume 17 Issue 40
@smdailypress
As California legalizes pot, laws collide at US checkpoints ELLIOT SPAGAT Associated Press
California legalizes marijuana for recreational use Monday, but that won’t stop federal agents from seizing the drug — even in tiny amounts — on busy freeways and backcountry highways. Marijuana possession still will be prohibited at eight Border Patrol checkpoints in California, a reminder that state and federal laws collide when it comes to pot. The U.S. government classifies marijuana as a controlled substance, like heroin and LSD. “Prior to Jan. 1, it’s going to be
WHITE CHRISTMAS
the same after Jan. 1, because nothing changed on our end,” said Ryan Yamasaki, an assistant chief of the Border Patrol’s San Diego sector. “If you’re a federal law enforcement agency, you uphold federal laws.” The checkpoints, located up to 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Mexico, are considered a final line of defense against immigrants who elude agents at the border. They also have been a trap for U.S. citizens carrying drugs, even tiny bags of marijuana. About 40 percent of pot SEE LAWS PAGE 10
@smdailypress
Editor’s Note: The Daily Press will begin its annual “Best Of” coverage this Saturday and Monday. In addition to reprinting some of the most read stories of the year those issues will include some of our columnists’ favorite work. Regular columns and stories will resume in January.
Santa Monica Daily Press
smdp.com
Man shot in stomach during early morning walk MATTHEW HALL Daily Press Editor
Four men have been arrested and charged with attempted murder following an early morning shooting the day after Christmas. The victim was listed as in critical condition and was scheduled for a second surgery Tuesday related to his wounds. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, the victim and a witness were walking in the 1200 block of Bay Street at about 2:30
a.m. on Dec. 26 when they encountered the four suspects. A verbal argument escalated into a physical fight with the victim and witness attempting to run away from the suspects. At that point, one of the suspects drew a gun and shot the victim once in the stomach. Officers responded to the call of shots fired and found the victim on the street along with the witness. Two suspects were also found in the immediate area and arrested on site. Lieutenant Saul Rodriguez said
there’s some indication the victim and suspects knew each other but the details of the incident are still under investigation. However, using information gathered from the scene, officers executed a pair of search warrants Tuesday afternoon and arrested the remaining two suspects at their homes. Rodriguez said at least two suspects are known to police from prior incidents but said more details will become clear when offiSEE SHOOTING PAGE 6
Robert Hernandez
Cancer patient Henry Morales, dressed as Santa Claus, wanted his daughter, London, left to experience a white Christmas. Morales was unable to leave UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica due to his illness, so his care team arranged for five tons of snow – about 15 square feet – to be brought into a hospital garden on Thursday. Pictured with Morales are his wife, Leah, and Elsa, a character from the “Frozen” movie.
SEE FOOD PAGE <NONE>