Yes, the submission is about California. Like many (most?) discussions on HN, topics wander, and this particular thread, starting at the top, we've already expanded beyond California:
While California is big, it's not the entire US, and this particular thread is (taking the commenters at their word) is about more than just California.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37807408
> "In downtown Toronto"
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37807592
> "Nobody in the USA wants anything like that. The bad optics alone would be enough to convince Americans to go back to the War on Drugs."
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37808117
> "In the US liquor is sold in corner stores."
While California is big, it's not the entire US, and this particular thread is (taking the commenters at their word) is about more than just California.