By Mike Maharrey Last week, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed two bills into law that expand the states medicinal cannabis program. Enactment of this law takes another step toward nullifying federal marijuana prohibition in effect. Sen. David Marsden (D-Burke) sponsored Senate Bill 1719 (SB1719). The new…
By Mike Maharrey Last week, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a bill into law that decriminalizes hemp-derived cannabidiol. This will not only open up markets in Arkansas, but it is also a crucial step given the FDA’s continued regulation of CBD. Rep. Justin Boyd (R-Fort Smith)…
By Mike Maharrey Yesterday, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed a bill expanding the states medical marijuana law to allow patients to smoke cannabis. Enactment of this law takes another step toward nullifying federal marijuana prohibition in effect. Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Sen. Linda…
By Michael Maharrey CHEYENNE, Wyo. (March 8, 2019) – On Wednesday, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill into law legalizing all hemp and hemp-derived products. This will not only open up hemp markets in Wyoming, but it is also a crucial step given the FDA’s…
By Michael Maharrey Thirty-three states have effectively nullified federal marijuana laws. US Attorney General nominee William Barr said so during his confirmation hearing when he called the current system “back door nullification.” Back door or front door, the practical effect is the same—the feds can’t enforce…
By Michael Maharrey Hemp and CBD are now legal in all 50 states! At least that’s what most people think after the passage of the 2018 farm bill. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There is still a great deal of confusion about the legal status…
By Michael Maharrey FAIRFIELD, Maine (Nov. 2, 2018) – The Fairfield town council unanimously passed a food sovereignty ordinance last month. The ordinance not only frees local farmers and consumers from onerous state regulations, but it will also create an environment hostile to federal regulations and…
By Michael Maharrey CBD has gone mainstream – this is nullification in action. If there was ever any doubt, it completely vanished last month when Consumer Reports ran an article titled “How to Shop for CBD.” You don’t get much more mainstream than Consumer Reports….
By Michael Maharrey Hemp production is starting to boom in Vermont, despite federal prohibition. In 2013, the Vermont legislature passed a law legalizing and licensing hemp production at the state level. The Vermont law does not limit hemp cultivation to research purposes, as required under…
By Michael Maharrey 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…
By Michael Maharrey 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…
By Michael Maharrey Earlier this summer, Big3 basketball became the first professional sports league to allow its players to use cannabidiol (CBD). This represents another step toward nullifying federal hemp prohibition in practice and effect. CBD is derived from cannabis, but since it’s generally processed…
By Mike Maharrey 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…
By Michael Maharrey On Monday, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a bill into law that expands raw milk sales in the state. The new law takes an important step toward rejecting a federal prohibition scheme in effect. Sen. David Hinkins (R-27) and Rep. Marc Roberts (R-67) introduced…
By Michael Maharrey Yesterday, a Utah Senate committee passed a bill would expand raw milk sales in the state. Passage into law would take an important step toward rejecting a federal prohibition scheme in effect. Sen. David Hinkins (R-27) and Rep. Marc Roberts (R-67) introduced Senate…
By Michael Maharrey Thursday, the Florida House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government regulatory schemes. Rep. Daniel Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) prefiled House Bill 37 (HB37) on Aug. 23. The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do…
By Michael Maharrey Maine Gov. Paul LePage has called for a special emergency session of the legislature to roll back a food sovereignty bill he signed into law earlier this year, after the federal government threatened to take over meat and poultry inspection in the…
By Michael Maharrey An Alabama law went into effect Sept 1st that will help facilitate healthcare freedom in the state, and set the stage for the people there to nullify in practice federal control over the healthcare industry. Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) sponsored Senate Bill 94…
By Michael Maharrey August 10, a Colorado law that will help facilitate healthcare freedom in the state went into effect. A bipartisan coalition of two representatives and two senators sponsored House Bill 1115 (HB1115). The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical…
By Mike Maharrey Last month, Maine Gov. Paul LePage signed a bill into law that gives local governments the authority to enact ordinances regulating local food distribution without state interference. The new law not only takes a big step forward for food sovereignty and local…
