Laboratories Of Democracy

Montana’s Medical Marijuana Industry Goes Down

"The drop was driven in part by a tougher 2011 law on medical marijuana use and distribution. But more than anything, marijuana advocates say, the demise of the once-booming medical pot industry was the result of the largest federal drug-trafficking investigation in the state's industry. The three-year investigation by the U.S. attorney's office, the DEA and other federal agencies wrapped up last week when the last of 33 convicted defendants was sentenced. That allowed its architect, U.S. Attorney Michael Cotter, to speak publicly for the first time on the crackdown. Cotter said he believes he is on the right side of history, regardless of what is happening in the country." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMontana’s Medical Marijuana Industry Goes Down

Rasmussen Poll: Nullification Goes Mainstream

"Day after day, the media pounds out a relentless drumbeat against nullification. Pundits, commentators and so-called legal experts demonize it as unconstitutional, villainize it as racist and trivialize it with slurs like 'wacky' and 'kookie.' But while the political class continues to arrogantly ridicule Madison and Jefferson’s principles, everyday Americans embrace them in increasing numbers. A Rasmussen poll released Monday indicates that nullification is growing more and more popular in mainstream America. More people than not approve of nullification in general." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRasmussen Poll: Nullification Goes Mainstream

Missouri Legislature Nullifies All Federal Gun Control Measures by a Veto-Proof Majority

"All federal acts, laws, orders, rules, and regulations, whether past, present, or future, which infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution shall be invalid in this state, shall not be recognized by this state, shall be specifically rejected by this state, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in this state." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMissouri Legislature Nullifies All Federal Gun Control Measures by a Veto-Proof Majority

California Medical Marijuana Crackdown Ramps Up As More Dispensaries Targeted For Closure

"Several dozen protesters gathered in downtown Berkeley Wednesday afternoon to fight federal action against one of California's oldest medical marijuana dispensaries, targeted for closure by the Justice Department. U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag on Friday served pot shop Berkeley Patients Group with a lawsuit that attempts to seize the property and ultimately shut the business. Dispensaries throughout northern California have received similar legal threats from the U.S. attorney over the past few weeks." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia Medical Marijuana Crackdown Ramps Up As More Dispensaries Targeted For Closure

Colorado passes laws for the legal sale of marijuana beginning Jan. 1

"Lawmakers in Colorado voted Wednesday night to approve a historic, first-ever regulatory framework for the production, taxation and sales of marijuana. Four bills awaiting the governor’s signature Thursday morning — SB 283, HB 1317, HB 1318 and HB 1325 — will convert the state’s medical marijuana regulatory agency into a body governing all marijuana sales and establish legal limits for driving while under the influence of marijuana. Voters will also be given the chance to approve a series of taxes on marijuana in November, starting at 10 percent sales tax at retail and 15 percent excise tax at wholesale, with additional local taxes to be set by each municipality." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado passes laws for the legal sale of marijuana beginning Jan. 1

Texas House approves bundle of radical pro-gun laws

"The bills that passed include a measure letting college students over 21-years-old carry weapons in classrooms. Lawmakers also approved letting schools select employees to carry concealed weapons on campus, and easing the standards for concealed carry permits. The bulk of the bills were targeted at easing restrictions on concealed carry weapons, such as making permit fees cheaper, preventing agencies from asking for detailed information on permit renewals, and restricting fingerprint registries for gun owners. The package of bills also includes a measure that declares all federal gun laws null and void in Texas." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTexas House approves bundle of radical pro-gun laws

Sam Brownback digs in on “Made in Kansas” gun exemption law

"Dozens of states are considering bills that attempt to nullify federal gun laws. One such bill became a law last month in Kansas. It exempts 'Made in Kansas' guns from federal regulation and makes it a crime for federal agents to enforce federal law. Attorney General Eric Holder said the law is 'unconstitutional,' and that the U.S. is prepared to sue Kansas to prevent the state from 'interfering with the activities of federal officials.' In a letter to Holder yesterday, Brownback wrote: 'The people of Kansas have clearly expressed their sovereign will. It is my hope that upon further review, you will see their right to do so.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSam Brownback digs in on “Made in Kansas” gun exemption law

Feds Threaten Medical Pot Dispensaries with 40-Year Sentences

"Landlords are receiving threatening letters from US Attorney Melinda Haag, warning of forty-year-prison sentences if landlords do not evict their dispensary tenants. In October 2011, Haag and three other US Attorneys declared war on California’s estimated $1.3 billion medical marijuana industry, threatening hundreds of landlords with forfeiture. Hundreds of dispensaries across the state moved or closed. Haag is attempting to seize Harborside Health Center in Oakland, as well as its sister club in San Jose. Last year, California Gov. Jerry Brown said California didn’t need 'federal gendarmes' kicking in the doors of lawful businesses." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFeds Threaten Medical Pot Dispensaries with 40-Year Sentences

Hiring Spreads, but Only 14 Cities Top Prerecession Level

"Employers are hiring more readily across the U.S., though only 14 of the nation's 100 biggest metropolitan areas have more jobs now than they did before the 2008-09 recession. Six of them are in Texas, according to researchers at the Brookings Institution, who recently analyzed local economic conditions through the end of 2012. Austin added more jobs, percentage-wise, than any other metro area, helped by stable employment at the state government and University of Texas as well as high-tech jobs." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHiring Spreads, but Only 14 Cities Top Prerecession Level

Michigan House Unanimously Passes NDAA Nullification Bill

"On Thursday, April 18, the Michigan House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill prohibiting state agents and law enforcement from participating with the federal government in the indefinite detention of its citizens. By a vote of 109-0, state representatives joined their colleagues in the state senate in protecting citizens of the Wolverine State from being apprehended and detained in federal prisons without trial. The state senate unanimously approved an identical measure in March." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMichigan House Unanimously Passes NDAA Nullification Bill