Signed as Law: Colorado Expands Asset Forfeiture Reforms

DENVER, Colo. (May 31, 2018) – On Tuesday, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill into law expanding asset forfeiture reporting requirements instituted last year.  Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) introduced House Bill 1020 (HB1020) on Jan. 10. The legislation expands asset forfeiture reporting requirements by redefining the agencies required to submit reports. Last year, Hickenlooper signed a…

Continue ReadingSigned as Law: Colorado Expands Asset Forfeiture Reforms

California Assembly Passes Bill to Allow Marijuana Business Owners to Deduct Expenses from State Taxes

SACRAMENTO. Calif. (May 31, 2018) – Yesterday, the California Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill that would sever a link between state and federal tax law, allowing individuals to deduct expenses from legal marijuana businesses for state income tax purposes. Passage of the bill would encourage the growth of the legal marijuana market in California and further…

Continue ReadingCalifornia Assembly Passes Bill to Allow Marijuana Business Owners to Deduct Expenses from State Taxes

To the Governor: Illinois Passes Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp Despite Federal Prohibition

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 30, 2018) – Today, the Illinois Senate gave final approval to a bill that would legalize industrial hemp in the state and take a first step toward nullifying federal prohibition of the plant in effect. Sen. Tori Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) introduced Senate Bill 2298 (SB2298) in January. The legislation would legalize industrial hemp…

Continue ReadingTo the Governor: Illinois Passes Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp Despite Federal Prohibition

Individuals Are the Ultimate Nullifiers

Individuals are the ultimate nullifiers. Legislation can set the stage to nullify federal acts by withdrawing cooperation and removing a lawyer of laws, but ultimately nullification is most effective when individuals are willing to do the things governments prohibit. The lack of regulation when state and local police stand down creates space for markets to…

Continue ReadingIndividuals Are the Ultimate Nullifiers

Amazon Selling Real-Time Facial Recognition Technology to Government

It was revealed publicly last week that law enforcement agents are using facial recognition technology marketed by Amazon to profile people in real time. It is being used in the Orlando, Fla., area as well as Washington County in Oregon and will soon be rolled out in more areas throughout the country. These developments serve…

Continue ReadingAmazon Selling Real-Time Facial Recognition Technology to Government

California Committee Passes Measure to Help End Unchecked Police Surveillance, Establish More Local Control

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 30, 2018) –  Last Friday, a final California Senate committee passed a bill that would increase oversight and transparency of law enforcement surveillance technology. Passage of the bill would take the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies that violate basic privacy rights and feed into a broader national…

Continue ReadingCalifornia Committee Passes Measure to Help End Unchecked Police Surveillance, Establish More Local Control