Today in History: Rhode Island Becomes First Colony to Ban Importation of Slaves

Despite the large slave population, and the colony serving as a key player in the slave trade, abolitionist sentiment grew, and on June 13, 1774, the colony enacted "An Act for Prohibiting the Importation of Negros."

The post Today in History: Rhode Island Becomes First Colony to Ban Importation of Slaves first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingToday in History: Rhode Island Becomes First Colony to Ban Importation of Slaves

Rhode Island House Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Possession of Psilocybin Despite Federal Prohibition

The legislation would remove criminal penalties for possessing and cultivating up to one ounce of psilocybin for personal use. The proposed law would also allow adults to share up to 1 ounce of psilocybin with other adults.

The post Rhode Island House Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Possession of Psilocybin Despite Federal Prohibition first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingRhode Island House Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Possession of Psilocybin Despite Federal Prohibition

Rhode Island Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Legalize Raw Milk Sales

Under the proposed law, raw milk could be sold in the state subject to the same regulations and permitting requirements as pasteurized milk.

The post Rhode Island Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Legalize Raw Milk Sales first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingRhode Island Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Legalize Raw Milk Sales

Rhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection and Stingray Surveillance

Titled the “Electronic Information and Data Privacy Act,” the legislation would prohibit law enforcement agencies from obtaining “the location information, stored data, or transmitted data of an electronic device; or electronic information or data transmitted by the owner of the electronic information or data to a remote computing service provider” without a warrant based on probable cause.

The post Rhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection and Stingray Surveillance first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingRhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection and Stingray Surveillance

Rhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Stingray Spying, Hinder Federal Surveillance

The legislation would help block the use of cell-site simulators, commonly known as “stingrays.” These devices essentially spoof cell phone towers, tricking any device within range into connecting to the stingray instead of the tower, allowing law enforcement to sweep up communications content, as well as locate and track the person in possession of a specific phone or other electronic device.

The post Rhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Stingray Spying, Hinder Federal Surveillance first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingRhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Stingray Spying, Hinder Federal Surveillance

Rhode Island Bill Would Legalize Raw Milk Sales; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition Scheme

The legislation would amend statutes governing the production and sale of milk to legalize the retail sale of raw milk. Under the proposed law, raw milk could be sold in the state subject to the same regulations and permitting requirements as pasteurized milk.

The post Rhode Island Bill Would Legalize Raw Milk Sales; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition Scheme first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingRhode Island Bill Would Legalize Raw Milk Sales; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition Scheme

Rhode Island Bill Would Establish State Process to End Qualified Immunity

A bill introduced in the Rhode Island House would create a process to sue police officers and government officials in state court for the deprivation of individual rights without the possibility of “qualified immunity” as a defense.

The post Rhode Island Bill Would Establish State Process to End Qualified Immunity first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingRhode Island Bill Would Establish State Process to End Qualified Immunity

Rhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection and Stingray Surveillance

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 8, 2023) – A bill introduced in the Rhode Island House would ban the warrantless collection of electronic data and the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications in most situations. The passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Rhode Island; it […]

The post Rhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection and Stingray Surveillance first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Continue ReadingRhode Island Bill Would Limit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection and Stingray Surveillance

Today in History: Rhode Island Becomes the 13th State to Ratify the Constitution

On May 29, 1790, Rhode Island ratified the Constitution of the United States, becoming the last of the original founding colonies to enter the Union. Rhode Island was the only state that failed to send a representative to the Philadelphia Convention, which had approved the final draft on Sept. 17, 1787. The state acted slowly…

Continue ReadingToday in History: Rhode Island Becomes the 13th State to Ratify the Constitution

Rhode Island Bill Would Legalize Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 24, 2018) – A bill filed in the Rhode Island Senate would legalize marijuana, setting the foundation to nullify federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the state. Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Cranston) introduced Senate Bill 2985 (S2985) on May 16. The legislation would allow adults 21 or older to use, purchase or transport…

Continue ReadingRhode Island Bill Would Legalize Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition