MONTPELIER, Vt. (Feb. 21, 2017) – A Vermont bill to expand access for patients utilizing the state’s medical marijuana program passed the state Senate last week. If approved, the legislation would help further nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Introduced by Sen. Dick Sears (D-Bennington) and six co-sponsors, Senate Bill 16 (S.16) would amend…
PIERRE, S.D. (Feb. 20, 2017) – A South Dakota bill that would legalize the production and processing of industrial hemp for commercial purposes, and set the foundation to end federal prohibition in practice, passed an important House Committee yesterday. The Committee on State Affairs introduced House Bill 1204 (HB1204) on Feb. 3. Under the proposed law,…
CONCORD, N.H. (Feb. 20, 2017) – A New Hampshire bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations unanimously passed an important committee last week. The proposed law would not only protect privacy in New Hampshire, but would also…
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Feb. 20, 2017) – A Washington state bill that would remove industrial hemp from the state’s “controlled substances” list and set the stage for people there to nullify federal prohibition on the plant passed an important committee Friday. A bipartisan coalition of representatives introduced House Bill 2064 (HB2064) on Feb. 9. The legislation…
HELENA, Mont. (Feb. 17, 2017) – A Montana House bill that would legalize limited raw milk sales in the state narrowly passed a House committee yesterday. Final passage would take an important step toward rejecting a federal prohibition scheme in effect. Rep. Nancy Ballance (R-Hamilton) introduced House Bill 325 (HB325) on Jan. 26. The legislation would…
HELENA, Mont. (Feb. 17, 2017) – A Montana bill that would ban warrantless collection of data from an electronic device in most situations unanimously passed the House on Wednesday. Final passage of the legislation would not only increase privacy protections in the state, it would also hinder one practical aspect of federal surveillance programs. Rep.…
RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 17, 2017) – A so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill filed in the North Carolina House would make it legal for most North Carolinians to carry a firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile to federal gun control. A coalition of 10 Republican representatives introduced House Bill 69 (H69) on Feb. 8.…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Feb. 17, 2017) – A Missouri bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, setting the foundation to nullify federal prohibition in practice. Introduced by Rep. Jim Neely (R-Cameron) along with eight bipartisan co-sponsors, House Bill 437 (HB437) would expand existing laws on the books pertaining only to cannabis oil…
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb. 17, 2017) – An Arizona bill that would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws has unanimously passed two important House committees. 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…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Feb. 17, 2017) – A Missouri bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations passed an important House committee this week. The proposed law would not only protect privacy in the Show Me State, but…