Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that will restrict restaurants from handing out plastic straws unless patrons ask for one.
The law has drawn both criticism and praise from local people.
Shawna Hadad Byers, owner of Muertos Kitchen and Cocktails in downtown Bakersfield says she is not in support of it.
"To put everyone in a category and say, we have a problem so now we have to treat you like a four-year-old and tell you you can't have this, it is disappointing," said Hadad.
The law was passed to help protect the environment and reduce plastic pollution. That is one of the reasons David Clarke is for the new law.
"I have been fortunate to be out in the ocean and I have seen the huge amounts of plastic floating," said Clarke.
This law makes California the first state to bar restaurants from automatically handing out straws. It goes into effect January 1st.
