There’s no such thing as a free bag—at least not anymore in California. Voters in November approved, 53% to 47%, a law outright banning single-use, carry-out plastic bags. Grocery and convenience stores can offer paper or reusable bags, but the law requires them to charge at least 10 cents a pop. While pot is now legal in the Golden State, plastic bags are contraband. California’s bag ban is a classic marriage of economic protectionism and government paternalism, dressed up in...

Source: Wall Street Journal January 27, 2017 23:37 UTC