Michigan House Unanimously Passes Measure to Protect Electronic Data and Communications

LANSING, Mich. (May 17, 2017) – Today, the Michigan House unanimously passed a proposal to put “electronic data and communications” on the same level as “persons, houses, papers, and possessions” in the state constitution. House Joint Resolution C (HJRC) was introduced by Rep. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) along with 11 bipartisan co-sponsors. If approved, voters…

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North Carolina Committee Passes Bill to Encourage Use of Gold and Silver as Money

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 17, 2017) – Yesterday, a North Carolina House committee passed a bill that would exempt the sale and purchase of gold and silver from state sales taxes, encouraging their use and taking the first step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Dana Bumgardner (R-Gastonia) and Rep. Jeff Collins (R-Rocky…

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Texas Committee Passes Bill to Expand Raw Milk Sales; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition Scheme

AUSTIN, Texas (May 16, 2017) – Today, a Texas Senate committee passed a bill that would expand raw milk sales in the state. Passage of the bill into law would help nullify a federal prohibition scheme in practice. Sen. Bob Hall (R-Dist 2) prefiled Senate Bill 95 (SB95) last fall. The legislation would expand raw milk…

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Louisiana Committee Passes Bill to Encourage Use of Gold and Silver as Money

BATON ROUGE, La. (May 16, 2017) – Yesterday, a Louisiana House committee unanimously passed a bill that would exempt the sale and purchase of gold and silver from state sales and use taxes, encouraging their use and taking the first step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Stephen Dwight (R) and Rep.…

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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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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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