SACRAMENTO. Calif. (May 31, 2018) – Yesterday, the California Assembly overwhelmingly passed 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. Passage of the bill would encourage the growth of the legal marijuana market in California and further…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 30, 2018) – Today, the Illinois Senate gave final approval to a bill that would legalize industrial hemp in the state and take a first step toward nullifying federal prohibition of the plant in effect. Sen. Tori Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) introduced Senate Bill 2298 (SB2298) in January. The legislation would legalize industrial hemp…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 30, 2018) – Last Friday, a final California Senate committee passed a bill that would increase oversight and transparency of law enforcement surveillance technology. Passage of the bill would take the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies that violate basic privacy rights and feed into a broader national…
TRENTON, N.J. (May 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the New Jersey assembly would expand access to medical marijuana by instituting reciprocity with other medical marijuana states. The bill would further expand the medicinal cannabis market in the New Jersey and further nullify federal prohibition in practice. Rep. Annette Quijano (D) introduced Assembly Bill…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 24, 2018) – Yesterday, a final California Assembly committee passed a bill that would require law enforcement agencies in the state to get local governmental approval before acquiring or using military equipment. Passage of the bill into law would set the stage to limit federal programs that militarize local police. Asm. Todd Gloria…
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 24, 2018) – A bill filed in the Rhode Island Senate would legalize marijuana, setting the foundation to nullify federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the state. Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Cranston) introduced Senate Bill 2985 (S2985) on May 16. The legislation would allow adults 21 or older to use, purchase or transport…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (May 23, 2018) – A bill filed in the Minnesota House would legalize marijuana, setting the foundation to nullify federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the state. Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) introduced House Bill 4541 (HF4541) with 11 co-sponsors on May 20. The legislation would allow adults aged 21 or older…
BATON ROUGE, La. (May 21, 2018) – Last week, the Louisiana House gave final approval to three bills that would relax restrictions on medical marijuana for qualifying patients. Enactment of this legislation into law would further nullify marijuana prohibition in effect in the Pelican State. Rep. Rodney Lyons (D-Harvey) introduced House Bill 627 (HB627) with…
CONCORD, N.H. (May 21, 2018) – Last week, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill into law requiring the state attorney general to produce an annual report detailing asset forfeitures in the state. The law takes a small step forward, but important provisions requiring reporting of federal asset forfeiture cases were stripped out of…
PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 21, 2018) – Last week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill into law legalizing the production of industrial hemp within a research pilot program. Although the law requires federal compliance, it could still be a first step toward developing a full-fledged hemp industry in the state. Sen. Sonny Borrelli introduced Senate…