Minnesota Legalized Marijuana On August 1, 2023, the new marijuana law takes effect in Minnesota. The new law will allow possession of up to 2 pounds of marijuana in possession in your home, or up to 2 ounces in a motor vehicle’s trunk/cargo area. The law will also permit growing up to 8 plants on… Read more »
Seattle Vacates Hundreds of Marijuana Convictions
Seattle is vacating hundreds of misdemeanor marijuana convictions that occurred prior to the State of Washington legalizing recreational marijuana in 2012. The municipal court is vacating all misdemeanor marijuana convictions prosecuted by the Seattle City Attorney since 1996, when the city first took over prosecutions from the county. Because the conduct related to the convictions… Read more »
Negative correlation between police revenue collection and solving crime
Calling onto question the use of law enforcement time and resources, a recent study found a negative correlation between the collection of police revenue (e.g. fines, fees, and asset forfeitures) by law enforcement and its ability of solving crime. Additionally, a 2015 study by the Department of Justice found that the Ferguson Police Department prioritized… Read more »
New MN DWI Law Prohibits Operation of Snowmobiles, ATVs, and Motorboats
In addition to the loss of a driver’s license, a new law in Minnesota prohibits those convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or operating a snowmobile, motorboat, or ATV from operating those motorized machines. A DWIor boating while intoxicated (BWI) conviction now prohibits the operation of a motorboat between May 1 and October 31 for… Read more »
New MN Law Outlaws Fake Service Animals
As of August 1, 2018, it against the law in Minnesota to use fake service animals. The new offense makes it unlawful to to intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal in an attempt to receive the same rights and privileges as someone who qualifies as disabled under the law and needs a service… Read more »
MN Senate Repeals Sunday Liquor Sale Ban
Passed by the House last week, the Minnesota Senate passed a a similar bill today repealing the ban on Sunday liquor sales. The Senate’s bill will now be sent back to the MN House of Representatives. to address the difference in Sunday opening hours for liquor stores with H.F. 30. If there is agreement, the… Read more »
Proposed Change to Federal Marijuana Laws
A bill introduced in the US House of Representatives seeks to amend the Controlled Substances Act by deferring enforcement to the States and their respective marijuana laws. Authored by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, of California, the bill called the “Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017” has the support of 12 other representatives. The proposed change… Read more »
MN Bill Would Prohibit Phone Calls While Driving
A bill that would make it a crime to make phone calls while driving, and otherwise use wireless devices while driving, unless in hands free mode is moving forward in the legislature and is expected to pass as a law. Currently, Minnesota law prohibits composing, reading, or sending electronic messages, when the vehicle is in… Read more »
Nervous behavior alone is not enough for pat-down search
The MN Court of Appeals reversed a Felony 5th Degree Drug conviction where the officer discovered drugs after searching the defendant. The officer’s basis for the pat-search was largely based on the defendant acting nervous and placing his hands in his pockets. The Court held that the officer did not have “reasonable, articulable suspicion of… Read more »
Chicago Gun Range Restrictions Violate 2nd Amendment
The 7th District Federal Court of Appeals ruled that age and zoning restrictions placed on gun ranges in the City Chicago violates the 2nd Amendment by being overly broad. Chicago city ordinances had prohibited anyone under 18 years-old from entering a gun range in the city. Additionally, gun ranges were only allowed in manufacturing districts… Read more »