California has brought about several progressive changes in 2018 that make the state seem disparate from the rest of the country. First, marijuana has been legalized and thousands of people with misdemeanor convictions will have their records cleared. San Francisco and San Diego alone will clear or downgrade at least 7,000 cases, hopefully allowing these individuals to have another shot at success in life. A bill is in place to make it illegal for individuals to ingest pot and drive a vehicle, and a separate law took effect last June that bans the possession of open containers of cannabis while driving. Those who have been arrested in the past, but not convicted or a crime may ask a judge to seal their records.

Minimum wage is a major topic of conversation in politics and has many differing viewpoints. In California, the state minimum wage is $10.50 per hour for businesses with 25 or fewer employees and $11 per hour for those with 26 or more employees. The goal of this raise is to increase economic activity, spur job growth, and ultimately reduce poverty. Another interesting change is that employers are unable to ask job applicants about their past salaries, a measure which seeks to narrow the pay gap between men and women.

For those single dads who are always on the go with their babies, a new state law requires at least one diaper changing station available to men and women throughout California. State Majority Leader, Ian Calderon, remarked his admiration for the bill saying,

The requirement may be waived if the installation of the station is not feasible or has the ability to cause a failure in building standards.

Another health related change is that public schools serving low-income students in grades 6 to 12 must provide free menstrual products in half of restrooms. This will ensure that young girls remain comfortable while learning.

The Golden State is the first of many to implement stricter gun laws stating that gun owners must give up their weapons if they are convicted of a felony or other violent misdemeanors. In addition, ammunition cannot be purchased across state lines, but only through a licensed ammunition dealer. Superintendents must deny people with permits to carry concealed guns on school grounds under a new law.

The latest topic of conversation in the state is to prohibit minors from playing organized tackle football before they’re freshmen in high school. The bill has not yet been passed and has yet to face substantial public review. Medical professionals advised Congressmen to implement this law in order to prevent young athletes from sustaining long-term brain damage caused by repetitive tackling, hitting and blocking.

Lawmakers in other states will be watching California to see if their new bills work towards creating a better state. We will have to see how the citizens react in order to determine whether California is moving in the right direction.