DENVER, Colo. (June 5, 2018) – Last week, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill into law establishing that hemp will be treated like any other food ingredient. Enactment of this law paves the way for further expansion of the state’s hemp market and will help further nullify federal prohibition in effect. A bipartisan coalition of three…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 5, 2018) – Last week, the California Assembly passed a bill that would create a process to expunge or reduce the sentences of people charged under the state’s marijuana laws before recreational cannabis was legalized this year. Passage into law would take another step toward nullifying federal marijuana prohibition in effect in California.…
CHARLESTON, W. Va. (June 5, 2018) – Today, a new law establishing a hemp seed certification program in the state went into effect. Enactment of this law paves the way for faster development of the state’s hemp market and will help further nullify federal prohibition in effect. A coalition of three Democratic senators introduced Senate Bill 475…
TRENTON, N.J. (June 4, 2018) – Last week, a New Jersey Senate committee unanimously passed a bill that would impose strict reporting requirements for all asset forfeitures in the state. This legislation would take a first step that could lead to substantive reforms, including closing a federal loophole that allows police to bypass strict state asset forfeiture…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 4, 2018) – Last Wednesday, the California Senate unanimously passed a bill that would loosen some regulations on hemp seed and cultivation. Passage of this bill would pave the way for faster development of the state’s hemp market, and further nullify federal prohibition in practice and effect. Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita), along with…
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 1, 2018) – A bill introduced in the New York Assembly would end Common Core in schools throughout the state. Assembly Bill 10890 (A10890) was introduced by Asm. Doug Smith (R-Bayport). The legislation would void Common Core standards in the state of New York. It contains the same language as Senate Bill…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 1, 2018) – Yesterday, the California Senate 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 surveillance state. Sen.…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 1, 2018) – Yesterday, the California Assembly passed a bill that would require law enforcement agencies in the state to get local governmental approval before acquiring or using military equipment. Passage of the bill into law would set the stage to limit federal programs that militarize local police. Asm. Todd Gloria (D-San Diego)…
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…
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…