Republican presidential debate and state GOP convention this week in California. Gov. Bill to legalize some psychedelics awaits Gov. Newsom’s signature or veto. Exhibit explores Sacramento lowrider history and culture.

California in Republican National Spotlight

It’s a busy and potentially pivotal week for Republican candidates in California. Tonight, it’s the second Republican Presidential debate between the major candidates, minus frontrunner Donald Trump. Then, this weekend, California Republicans will gather for their annual convention in Anaheim. Los Angeles Times political reporter, Seema Mehta, joins us from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, site of tonight’s debate, with a look at who needs to perform well in California in order to take the state’s delegates as well as some of the important down-ballot races that could reshape the House of Representatives.

Psychedelics Bill Awaits Gov. Newsom Signature

Gov. Newsom is weighing hundreds of bills passed by the State Legislature. One bill would decriminalize some hallucinogenic drugs like psilocybin, which is found in magic mushrooms. From Oregon to Colorado and Washington D.C. laws surrounding the use of psychedelics have been loosened, decriminalized, or even legalized in a supervised setting. And more conservative states like Texas and Utah are exploring the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for disorders from PTSD, depression, anxiety, as well as addiction. Newsom hasn’t indicated whether he will sign this bill into law, which comes with pushback from law enforcement groups. But California is already home to the first accredited university training therapists, doctors and nurses in the benefits of psychedelics, and how to use them safely. We are revisiting a conversation we had in January with Dr. Janis Phelps, Director of the Center for Psychedelic Therapy and Research at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, about the benefits of psychedelics in a supervised setting.  

Sacramento Exhibit on Lowrider History

Lowrider culture is full of life, art, music and love. But for decades it was targeted by local communities as a nuisance and dangerous. A new exhibit at the Sacramento History Museum explores the long history of lowrider and cruising culture in California along with the discrimination associated with it. “Boulevard Dreams” is the largest exhibit yet at the museum and Executive Director Delta Pick Mello and Francine Mata with the Sacramento Lowrider Commission join us to explain what visitors will experience and the message behind the exhibit.