Ask Chris: I Tried to Buy Leather Goods Online and the Vendor Wouldn’t Ship to California. Why?

Our in-house historian has the answer
1795

The state is trying to help a few critters save their skins. Cobblers have long crafted shoes from alligators, cobras, and even elephants, but the sale of those exotic leathers is outlawed in the Golden State. In January kangaroos joined the list, so you soccer parents better start looking for cleats made of pleather instead.