Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense

Bitcoin going mainstream? Exchange approved to operate as a bank

"Bitcoin Central, a Bitcoin exchange that is popular in the eurozone, says it has secured approval from regulators to operate as a bank under French law. Users will be able to deposit funds in either euros or bitcoins, and to easily convert between the two. Euro-denominated funds will be insured by the Garantie des dépôts, the French equivalent to the US FDIC. The accounts will also be integrated with the French banking system, so users can have their paychecks automatically deposited into their accounts and converted to bitcoins." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBitcoin going mainstream? Exchange approved to operate as a bank

Former Microsoft exec plans high-end marijuana business

"A former Microsoft executive and Washington state resident is planning to enter the upscale marijuana business, in the hopes that it will help bring some respectability to the industry, reported KiroTV. Jamen Shively plans to name his business after his grandfather, who supplied hemp rope to the Spanish Armada at the time of the Spanish-American War. 'By creating the category of premium marijuana, we want to position it similar to a fine cognac, a fine brandy, a fine cigar,' Shively told KiroTV." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Microsoft exec plans high-end marijuana business

California’s Humboldt State University launches marijuana institute

"California’s Humboldt State University announced recently it would form a new institute that combines experts from the fields of economics, psychology, sociology, politics, geography, social work and public policy to help better inform the nation’s ongoing debate on marijuana reform. The school, which is accredited and funded by taxpayer dollars, said it would begin offering lectures on marijuana policies as soon as Tuesday evening. At least 11 faculty members are also onboard, according to the institute’s website." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCalifornia’s Humboldt State University launches marijuana institute

Cuba: No More Exit Visas!

"If Cubans can now leave their country freely, what will become of the Cuban Adjustment Act, that was signed during the Johnson Administration? This law gives any Cuban citizen admitted into the United States after January 1, 1959 and physically present for at least one year, to be admissible to the United States as a permanent resident. Unless the United States is prepared for a big influx of new Cuban residents, it will need to amend this law. Ironically, after Jan. 14, 2013, Cuban citizens will be more free and less regulated by their government to visit the USA than U.S. citizens will be to visit Cuba." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCuba: No More Exit Visas!

Montana lawmaker asks to be paid in gold

"A Montana state lawmaker is asking that he be paid in gold coins because of his lack of faith in the U.S. dollar amid a rising deficit. Jerry O’Neil, a Republican just reelected in his northern Montana district, says his constituents told him he was not honoring his duty to uphold the U.S. Constitution, which O’Neil and Gold Standard supporters say requires the government to print money backed by gold. So he wrote a letter to the state Legislature asking to be paid his public salary in gold. O’Neil said that he collects about $7,000 annually from the Montana Legislature." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMontana lawmaker asks to be paid in gold

Anarchist Defeats Minarchist in New Hampshire Election

"When Ward 5 of Manchester, New Hampshire, elected a delegate to the state legislature this month, its voters rejected a Republican from the Free State Project who favors a minimal government. Instead they picked Tim O'Flaherty, a Democrat from the Free State Project who favors the abolition of government altogether. In the words of the Manchester Union-Leader: 'O'Flaherty ran against a fellow Free Stater, housemate Dan Garthwaite, whom O'Flaherty called a statist.' Meanwhile, in Vermont, voters in the town of Randolph have just made my left-anarchist friend Jessamyn West a justice of the peace." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnarchist Defeats Minarchist in New Hampshire Election

New England Marijuana Legalization Bills Coming

"In the wake of this month's marijuana legalization victories in Colorado and Washington, legislators in New England are ramping up efforts to be the next state to legalize. Solons in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont have all signaled they will be filing legalization bills next year. The legislative process is frustratingly slow, often taking several years to get a measure through, but in the wake of the Colorado and Washington votes, we could see a sudden collapse in support for pot prohibition, even at the state house." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew England Marijuana Legalization Bills Coming

Uruguay Marijuana Legalization Bill Allows Home Grows and Sales

"The bill introduced Wednesday says only that the government will manage and regulate commercial cultivation and sales. Whether it will actually open state-run pot farms or marijuana retail outlets is yet to be decided, but in either case, a National Cannabis Institute will be in charge. Under the pending legislation, each household could grow up to six plants or possess up to 480 grams, or slightly more than a pound. People could also join 'smoking clubs' with up to 15 members and grow six plants per member, up to an annual production of 15.8 pounds." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUruguay Marijuana Legalization Bill Allows Home Grows and Sales

Singapore Eases Death Penalty in Some Drug Cases

"The parliament of Singapore has approved legislation abolishing mandatory death sentences in some drug trafficking cases. The action came last Wednesday, according to a press release from the Singapore Attorney-General's Chambers. Under the reform, judges will be able to commute some death sentences to sentences of life in prison. Before, judges were forced to impose the death penalty on persons trafficking drugs above certain specified quantities." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSingapore Eases Death Penalty in Some Drug Cases