JACKSON, Miss. (Jan. 29, 2016) – A Mississippi bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, nullifying in practice the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. It is accompanied by legislation to fully decriminalize marijuana as well. Introduced by Sen. Derrick T. Simmons (D-Greenville), Senate Bill 2378 (SB2378) would “ensure that physicians…
ATLANTA, Ga. (Jan. 29, 2017) – A so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill filed in the Georgia House would make it legal for most Georgians to carry a firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile to federal gun control. A coalition of six Republican representatives introduced House Bill 156 (HB156) on Jan. 26. The legislation…
HONOLULU, Hawaii, (Jan. 29, 2017) – Bills introduced in the Hawaii legislature would legalize industrial hemp production in the state, setting the stage to nullify federal prohibition of the plant in practice. A coalition of five Democrat senators introduced Senate Bill 163 (SB163) on Jan. 20. The legislation would remove industrial hemp from the state’s…
JUNEAU, Alaska, (Jan. 29, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Alaska House would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in…
LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 27, 2016) – A Nebraska bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, effectively nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Introduced by Sen. Anna Wishart (N-Lincoln) and 10 co-sponsors, LB622 would allow any “Nebraska resident who has been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a participating…
SANTA FE, N.M. (Jan. 27, 2017) – A bill introduced in the New Mexico Senate would limit the warrantless use of surveillance drones. The legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, it would also help thwart the federal surveillance state. Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque) introduced Senate Bill 167…
CONCORD, N.H. (Jan. 27, 2017) – A bill introduced in the New Hampshire House would close a loophole that allows state and local police to circumvent stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep, Michael Sylvia (R-Belmont) and Rep. John Burt (R-Goffstown) introduced House Bill 614 (HB614) on Jan. 5.…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 27, 2017) – A bill introduced in the South Carolina House would establish the South Carolina Industrial Hemp Program. Passage would ease some regulations, expand the market and further nullify federal prohibition in effect. Rep. Michael Pitts (R-Laurens) and Rep. Russell Ott (D-St. Matthews) introduced House Bill 3559 (H3559) on Jan. 24.…
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 27, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the Oklahoma House would ensure utility customers could opt out of installing “smart meter” technology on their homes and businesses. Passage of the bill would allow Oklahomans to protect their own privacy, and it would take a step toward blocking a federal program in effect.…
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Jan. 27, 2017) – A bill that would effectively prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with enforcement of some federal immigration laws passed a Pennsylvania Senate committee on Wednesday. A coalition of 22 Republican senators sponsored Senate Bill 10 (SB10). The legislation would require the governing body of all Pennsylvania municipalities,…