New Hampshire Senate Approves Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

CONCORD, N.H. (May 15, 2017) – Last week, the New Hampshire Senate passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession. Passage into law would take another step toward further nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in the state. Along with 11 bipartisan co-sponsors, Rep. Robert Cushing (D-Hampton) introduced House Bill 640 (HB640). The legislation would eliminate…

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Signed by the Governor: Iowa Right to Try Act Rejects Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 15, 2017) – Last week, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law setting the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. The Senate Commerce Committee sponsored Senate Bill 404 (SF404) on March 1. The…

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Massachusetts Bills Take on Asset Forfeiture, Close Federal Loophole

BOSTON, Mass. (May 15, 2017) – Bills introduced in the Massachusetts House and Senate would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases.The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the…

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Microsoft says governments should stop ‘hoarding’ security vulnerabilities

"Microsoft references the WannaCry ransomware's source as an vulnerability known by the NSA, noting that similar security holes were revealed on WikiLeaks in documents stolen from the CIA. It says that the governments of the world should treat the WannaCry attack as 'a wake-up call,' to consider the 'damage to civilians that comes from hoarding these vulnerabilities and the use of these exploits,' and to adopt the 'Digital Geneva Convention' the company first suggested in February. That Convention would have a new stipulation, too: 'a new requirement for governments to report vulnerabilities to vendors, rather than stockpile, sell, or exploit them.'" Continue reading

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Louisiana Committee Passes Bill to Expand Right to Try Act, Further Reject Some FDA Restrictions

BATON ROUGE, La. (May 11, 2017) – On Wednesday, a Louisiana House committee unanimously passed a bill that would expand the state’s Right to Try law to include technology designed to help ALS patients with mobility. Passage into law would set the foundation to nullify in practice a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that…

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Texas House Votes to Expand Right to Try Act; Further Reject Some FDA Restrictions on Personal Choice

AUSTIN, Texas (May 14, 2017) – On Friday, the Texas House unanimously passed a bill that would expand the Texas “Right to Try” law, setting the foundation to nullify in practice additional Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by patients with severe chronic diseases. Rep. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)…

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Delaware Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

DOVER, Del. (May 14, 2017) – On Wednesday, a Delaware Assembly committee passed a bill to legalize marijuana for recreational use, taking a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice. House Bill 110 (HB110) was introduced by Rep. Helene Keeley (D-South Wilmington) and 13 co-sponsors. The legislation would legalize marijuana under a tax-and-regulate…

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Texas House Passes Legislation to Facilitate Use of Bullion Depository

AUSTIN, Texas (May 14, 2017) – On Wednesday, the Texas House unanimously passed a proposed state constitutional amendment that would authorize the legislature to exempt precious metals held in the Texas Bullion Depository from ad valorem taxation. Passage of the amendment would take another step toward the everyday use of gold and silver in financial transactions…

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