Doctors on board weed wagon

California's best-known doctors' advocacy group has endorsed a proposed ballot measure legalizing the fun use of weed.

From the LAT's Melanie Mason: "The California Medical Assn., the influential trade group for the state's doctors, announced its support Monday for a high-profile initiative to legalize recreational marijuana."

"Dr. Steven Larson, the group's president, said in a statement the organization believes the proposed initiative is a "comprehensive and thoughtfully constructed measure that will allow state officials to better protect public health by clarifying the role of physicians, controlling and regulating marijuana use by responsible adults and keeping it out of the hands of children."
 

"The ballot measure is backed by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and financed in part by former Facebook executive Sean Parker."

"The news release touting the group's endorsement notes the group does not endorse marijuana use. But the group has pushed for legalization as far back as 2011, in order to foster more clinical research."

Speaking of the law, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh, a prominent jurist in Silicon Valley, is poised to get an appointment from President Obama to the federal appeals court.

From the Mercury News' Howard Mintz: "The Obama administration is expected this month to nominate Koh to fill a spot on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which shapes federal law for California and eight other Western states. The 47-year-old Koh, best known for presiding over the Apple v. Samsung patent feud and legal claims against Silicon Valley tech powers over illegal hiring practices, has spent nearly six years on the Bay Area federal bench."

"While Koh's nomination is not considered a surprise in Bay Area legal circles, her confirmation in the Republican-controlled Senate may face long odds this late in a presidential election year. Federal court nominations often get frozen by politics at this stage because of the prospect that another president will have a chance to fill judicial vacancies, although there have been deals cut in the past between Democrats and Republicans to push through some noncontroversial nominees before an election."

"Koh could not immediately be reached for comment on the prospect of her nomination. But lawyers and judges familiar with the process say the FBI is conducting its routine background check on federal appointees and that the American Bar Association, which rates judicial nominees, is preparing its evaluation for the White House."

A long-time ranking Assembly staffer is following a well-trod path -- he leaves the government, then goes into the lobbying business to lobby his former employers.

From the Bee's Jeremy B. White: "A former top aide to Assembly leadership announced a list of blue-chip advocacy clients on Monday, becoming the latest ex-staff member to walk the well-worn path between the California Legislature and its lobbying corps."

"Before launching his new lobbying and consulting shop, Greg Campbell served as chief of staff to Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and her predecessor John A. Pérez, D-Los Angeles. He played an important role in carrying out the will of both speakers and helping to manage the sometimes-fractious Democratic caucus."

"He is now registered as a lobbyist. Campbell’s outfit, Campbell Strategy & Advocacy, will represent a formidable list of interest group clients that includes Comcast, San Diego Gas & Electric, the California State Council of Laborers and Cox."

Meanwhile, the contest to replace departing Rep. Loretta Sanchez features two veteran politicians with long experience in state government -- Lou Correa and Joe Dunn.

From Terri Sforza in the O.C. Register: "The battle for the congressional seat being vacated by Loretta Sanchez is firming up as a faceoff between two longtime O.C. Democrats: Lou Correa and Joe Dunn."

"Correa and Dunn far eclipsed the other hopefuls when it came to raising cold, hard cash, according to campaign disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission for 2015."

"Correa raised a total of $296,222 in 2015, with $116,540 coming in the final months. He spent $44,390, leaving him with the biggest war chest heading into the election year – $251,832."

Speaking of the Register, that bankrupt newspaper may become the target of a bidding war as other publishing chains seek to acquire its assets.

The LAT's James Rufus Koren tells the tale: "Digital First Media, the owner of the Los Angeles Daily News, has indicated interest in bidding for the Orange County Register and other assets of bankrupt publishing company Freedom Communications."

And from our "Heads I Win, Tails You Lose" file comes word that the Democratic winner of the Iowa caucuses, Hillary Clinton, was decided by a coin toss.
 

"While it was hard to call a winner between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders last night, it’s easy to say who was luckier."

"The race between the Democrat presidential hopefuls was so tight in the Iowa caucus Monday that in at least six precincts, the decision on awarding a county delegate came down to a coin toss. And Clinton won all six, media reports said."
 

"The situation came about in precincts where Sanders and Clinton were running neck-and-neck, but there were an odd number of delegates, so they couldn’t be evenly split between the two. That was the case in precincts in Ames, Newton, West Branch, Davenport and two in Des Moines, the Des Moines Register reported."