Arizona Senate Passes Bill Taking on State, Federal Asset Forfeiture

PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 3, 2017) – Today, the Arizona Senate unanimously passed a bill reforming the state’s asset forfeiture laws. The bill also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Rep. Eddie Farnsworth (R-Gilbert) introduced House Bill 2477 (HB2477) on…

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To the Governor: Arkansas Passes Bill to Expand Health Freedom

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 3, 2017) – Last week, the Arkansas Senate gave final approval to a bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom and set the stage to nullify federally run healthcare in practice in the state. Rep. Justin Gonzales (R-Okolona) introduced House Bill 2240 (HB2240) on March 6. The legislation specifies that direct…

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To the Governor: Montana Passes Bill to Ban Warrantless Collection of Electronic Data

HELENA, Mont. (April 3, 2017) – On Saturday, the Montana House gave final approval to a bill that would ban warrantless collection of data from an electronic device in most situations. If signed by Gov. Steve Bullock, the legislation would not only increase privacy protections in the state, it would also hinder one practical aspect…

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New Hampshire Senate Approves Bill to Expand Medical Marijuana Program, Further Nullify Prohibition in Effect

CONCORD, N.H. (Apr. 3, 2017) – The New Hampshire Senate has passed a bill to expand the state’s medical marijuana program. If approved by the House, this measure would further nullify the federal prohibition on cannabis in practice. Senate Bill 159 (SB159) was introduced by Sen. Dan Feltes (D-Concord) and Sen. John Reagan (R-Deerfield). The…

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Republicans in North Dakota Unanimously Kill Bill to Restrict Civil Asset Forfeiture

BISMARCK, N.D. (Apr. 3, 2017) – The Republican-dominated North Dakota Senate has killed a bill to reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most situations. A coalition of eight legislators introduced House Bill 1170 (HB1170) on Jan. 6. The legislation would have reformed North…

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Well-Funded Lobbyists Working to Kill Raw Milk Bill in Montana

HELENA, Mont. (March 31, 2017) – A Montana bill that would legalize limited raw milk sales in the state has faced well-funded corporate opposition and is in danger of being killed by a Senate committee. Rep. Nancy Ballance (R-Hamilton) introduced House Bill 325 (HB325) on Jan. 26. The legislation would authorize limited sales of raw…

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West Virginia Senate Passes Bill to Legalize Medical Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Mar. 31, 2017) – A West Virginia bill that would legalize medical marijuana and nullify federal marijuana prohibition was approved in the Senate this week. Sen. Richard Ojeda (D – Logan, 07) introduced Senate Bill 386 (SB386) along with 11 bipartisan co-sponsors to promulgate rules and regulations setting up a functioning medical…

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Florida House Passes Bill to Expand Healthcare Freedom

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 30, 2017) – Today, the Florida House overwhelmingly passed bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government regulatory schemes. A coalition of Republican representatives sponsored House Bill 161 (HB161). The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance, thereby freeing doctors and…

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Arizona Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp, Defy Federal Prohibition

PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 30, 2017) – Yesterday, a second Arizona House committee passed a bill to legalize the production and processing of industrial hemp for commercial purposes, rejecting the unconstitutional federal prohibition of the same. Sen. Sonny Borrelli (R-Lake Havasu City) introduced Senate Bill1337 (SB1337) on Jan. 31. Under the proposed law, industrial hemp would be…

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Maryland Senate Unanimously Passes Right to Try Act to Reject Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 30, 2017) – Yesterday, the Maryland Senate unanimously passed a bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Sen. Bryan W. Simonaire (R) introduced Senate Bill 572 (SB572), along with a bipartisan coalition…

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