Nullification In Effect: First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (May 16, 2016) – Three years after New Hampshire voted to legalize medical marijuana, the first dispensaries have finally opened in Plymouth despite federal prohibition. The first dispensary opened April 30. The state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced last week that two more facilities will open this month. Qualifying patients…

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Pennsylvania Bill Would Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying, Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 16, 2016) – A bill recently introduced in the Pennsylvania House would ban the warrantless use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The proposed legislation would not only protect privacy in Pennsylvania, but would also hinder one aspect of…

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Podcast: Harriet Tubman, Nullification and Making a Difference

In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I talk about Harriet Tubman and the $20 bill, and how individuals can make a difference at the state level. This week, I delve into two completely unrelated issues in a rather spontaneous and completely unscripted episode of my podcast. I’ve seen a lot of opinions about…

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New Hampshire House Approves Bill to Decriminalize Simple Marijuana Possession

CONCORD, New Hampshire. (May 13, 2016) – A New Hampshire bill to decriminalize marijuana for adults, changing criminal penalties into civil infractions, passed in the state House on Wednesday. The proposal would not only decriminalize marijuana in the Life Free or Die State, it would also take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition…

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Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill Supporting Gold and Silver as Legal Tender

PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 13, 2016) –  Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey vetoed a bill that would have “legalized the Constitution” by defining gold and silver specie as legal tender and encouraging their use as currency. Sen. David C. Farnsworth and Rep. Doug Coleman, along with seven cosponsors, introduced Senate Bill 1141 (SB1141) earlier this year. The legislation…

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Rhode Island House Passes Right to Try Act to Reject Some FDA Restrictions on Terminally Patients 71-0

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 13, 2016) – Yesterday, the Rhode Island House unanimously passed a bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Rep. Joseph McNamara introduced House Bill 7156 (H7156) in January. The legislation would give…

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South Carolina Senate Committee Passes Bill Taking on all Upcoming Federal Gun Control Measures

COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 12, 2016) –  Yesterday, a South Carolina Senate committee passed a bill banning the enforcement of any future federal gun control measures. If signed into law, this would render them “nearly impossible to enforce,” but it faces an uphill battle to get a vote on the Senate floor. Rep. Mike Pitts introduced House Bill 4701…

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New Hampshire Asset Forfeiture Bill Unmasks Power of Police Lobby

CONCORD, N.H. (May 12, 2016) – Last week, a New Hampshire Senate committee passed a bill that represents an important first step to reform and restrict asset forfeiture, but bowed to law enforcement pressure and amended out sections that would have removed “policing for profit” incentives from state law. The move by the committee reveals the…

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Illinois Senate Rejects Bill Expanding Drone Surveillance

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 11, 2016) – In a victory for privacy advocates, an Illinois bill that would have expanded drone surveillance in the state failed in the Senate. Sen. Antonio Munoz introduced Senate Bill 2588, (SB2588) in February. The legislation would have created another broad exception allowing warantless drone surveillance for “training purposes.” SB2588 passed…

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