To the Governor: California Passes Bill to Help Expand Hemp Market Despite Federal Prohibition

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 4, 2018) –  Last week, the California Assembly and Senate gave final approval to a bill that would loosen some regulations on hemp seed and cultivation. Enactment of this bill would pave the way for faster development of the state’s hemp market, and further nullify federal prohibition in practice and effect. Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa…

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Now in Effect: Colorado Law Expands Asset Forfeiture Reforms

DENVER, Colo. (Sept. 1, 2018) – Today, a new Colorado law went into effect expanding asset forfeiture reporting requirements instituted last year.  Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) sponsored House Bill 1020 (HB1020) on Jan. 10. The legislation expands asset forfeiture reporting requirements by redefining the agencies required to submit reports. Last year, Hickenlooper signed a bill into…

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Signed by the Governor: Illinois Law Legalizes Industrial Hemp Despite Federal Prohibition

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Aug 27, 2018) – On Sunday, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill legalizing industrial hemp in the state and taking a first step toward nullifying federal prohibition of the plant in effect. Sen. Tori Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) sponsored Senate Bill 2298 (SB2298). The legislation legalizes industrial hemp in Illinois by removing it…

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To the Governor: California Passes Bill to Allow People to Expunge Some Marijuana Charges

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 24, 2018) – On Wednesday, the California Senate gave final approval to a bill that would create a process to expunge or reduce the sentences of people charged under the state’s marijuana laws before recreational cannabis was legalized this year. Passage into law would take another step toward nullifying federal marijuana prohibition in…

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To the Governor: California Bill to Allow Marijuana Business Owners to Deduct Expenses from State Taxes

SACRAMENTO. Calif. (Aug. 22, 2018) – Yesterday, the California Senate gave final approval to a bill that would sever a link between state and federal tax law, allowing individuals to deduct expenses from legal marijuana businesses for state income tax purposes. Enactment of the legislation would encourage the growth of the legal marijuana market in California…

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California Committee Kills Bill to Help End Unchecked Police Surveillance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug 22, 2018) –  A California Assembly committee has effectively killed a bill that would have increased oversight and transparency of law enforcement surveillance technology. Passage of the bill would have taken the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies that violate basic privacy rights and feed into a broader…

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Final California Committee Passes Bill to Allow People to Expunge Some Marijuana Charges

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2018) – Last week, a final California Senate committee passed a bill that would create a process to expunge or reduce the sentences of people charged under the state’s marijuana laws before recreational cannabis was legalized this year. Passage into law would take another step toward nullifying federal marijuana prohibition in effect…

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California Committee Passes Bill to Help Expand Hemp Market, Further Nullify Federal Prohibition in Practice

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Aug. 20, 2018) –  Last week, a final California Assembly committee unanimously passed a bill that would loosen some regulations on hemp seed and cultivation. Passage of this bill would pave the way for faster development of the state’s hemp market, and further nullify federal prohibition in practice and effect. Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita),…

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Wyoming Laws to Encourage Cryptocurrency Already Having Positive Impact

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Aug. 13, 2018) – Efforts to encourage the use of cryptocurrency in Wyoming have already paid off. Earlier this month, crypto exchange Coinbase announced it will return to the state after a three-year absence thanks to a bill passed during the most recent legislative session. Efforts like this could ultimately undermine the Federal…

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Now in Effect: Two Colorado Laws Expand Hemp Market, Despite Federal Prohibition

DENVER, Colo. (Aug. 8, 2018) – Today, two laws that will further mainstream the state’s industrial hemp industry went into effect. Implementation of these new policies will likely pave the way for faster development of the state’s hemp market, and further nullify federal prohibition in practice and effect. Mainstreaming Hemp as a Commodity A bipartisan coalition of…

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