In 1996, Californians voted to allow sick people with referrals from doctors to consume cannabis — and medical marijuana dispensaries cropped up. In the past two years, an estimated 800 operations set up shop in Los Angeles, while city leaders dragged their feet to regulate them — until now. David McNew/Getty Images hide caption

The upcoming prisoner release is meant to reduce costs — California spends almost 10 percent of its general fund budget to house inmates. Above, the gymnasium at San Quentin, seen in a 2009 file photo, serves as overflow housing for hundreds of inmates. Eric Risberg/AP hide caption

Smoke billows from a Chevron Corp. refinery in Richmond, Calif. The refinery is the largest producer of greenhouse gases in the state. Noah Berger/AP hide caption

Nov. 3: Students hold candles during a vigil to support a classmate who was the victim of a brutal rape at Richmond High School. Diana Jou/Richmond Confidential hide caption