South Carolina Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Medical Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 3, 2018) – Last week, a South Carolina Senate committee passed a bill that would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, setting the foundation to nullify unconstitutional federal cannabis prohibition in practice. A coalition of four Democrats and two Republicans introduced Senate Bill 212 (S212) on Jan 10. The legislation would…

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Wyoming Law Exempts Cryptocurrency from Property Taxes; Will Encourage Use and Help Undermine Federal Reserve Monopoly on Money

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (April 2, 2018) – Last month, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead signed a bill into law to exempt cryptocurrency from property taxes. The new law will help expand the of use digital currency and could ultimately undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. A bipartisan coalition of six senators and representatives introduced Senate Bill 111 (SF111)…

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Signed by the Governor: Iowa Law Expands Healthcare Freedom

DES MOINES, Iowa (March 30, 2018) – On Wednesday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that will help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government insurance regulatory schemes. The House of Delegates Human Resources Committee introduced House Bill 2356 (HF2356) on Feb. 14. It replaced HF2275 sponsored by Rep. David Heaton (R-Mt. Pleasant). The new law specifies…

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Signed by the Governor: Wisconsin Right to Try Act Rejects Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

MADISON, Wisc. (March 29, 2018) – Yesterday, the Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill into law that sets the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. A large bipartisan coalition of senators and representatives introduced Senate Bill 84 (SB84) last…

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Colorado Senate Passes Bill to Further Expand Industrial Hemp Industry Despite Federal Prohibition

DENVER, Colo. (March 29, 2018) – Yesterday, the Colorado Senate unanimously passed a bill that would further mainstream the state’s industrial hemp industry. Final passage of this bill would likely pave the way for faster development of the state’s hemp market, and further nullify federal prohibition in practice and effect. A bipartisan coalition of two senators…

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Signed by the Governor: West Virginia Hemp Seed Law Can Further Expand Commercial Market

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (March 28, 2018) – Yesterday, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill into law establishing a hemp seed certification program in the state. Passage of this bill paves the way for faster development of the state’s hemp market and will help further nullify federal prohibition in effect. A coalition of three Democratic senators…

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Signed by the Governor: Florida Law Expands Healthcare Freedom

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 27, 2018) – Last Friday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law that will help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government regulatory schemes. Rep. Daniel Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) sponsored House Bill 37 (H37). The new law specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance, thereby…

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New Kentucky Law Puts Limits on Drone Spying, Will Help Thwart Federal Surveillance Program

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 27, 2018) – Last week, a bill requiring police to get a warrant before engaging in drone surveillance in most situations became law without the governor’s signature. The new law not only establishes important privacy protections at the state level, it will also help thwart the federal surveillance state. Rep. Diane St.…

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Massachusetts Committee Passes Bill to Limit ALPR use, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

BOSTON, Mass. (March 26, 2018) – Last week, a Massachusetts House committee passed a bill that would put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions…

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Signed by the Governor: Utah Law Legalizes Medical Marijuana for Some Terminally-Ill Patients

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (March 26, 2018) – Last week, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed two bills to allow terminally ill patients to legally use medical marijuana under the state’s Right to Try law. These new laws take a first step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the Beehive State. Rep. Brad Daw (R-Orem)…

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