Joseph DeAvila: Connecticut Nears Marijuana Legalization

Another state legislature backs individual rights.   After years of stalled efforts, Connecticut is close to legalizing medical marijuana. The state Senate approved the bill early Saturday morning following nearly 10 hours of debate. The measure passed the House of Representatives in April, and Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, has said he would sign it.   ... MORE

Andrea Stone: Government Surveillance Requests Increase

The FISA Court is a government rubber stamp mechanism. The federal government submitted 1,745 applications in 2011 to a secret intelligence court to investigate -- mostly through wiretapping -- suspected cases of terrorism and espionage, a 10.5 percent increase over the year before, according to a Justice Department report    ... MORE

Paul J Larkin Jr: How Well Do You Know The Law?

Overcriminalization in America.  You’ve been invited to participate on a new game show called Do You Know the Law? Two wrong answers eliminate you. “Why not?” you say to yourself. “I know as much law as the next person. What’s the worst that could happen: embarrassment?” The first panelist correctly answers the question, “Can you steal your neighbor’s car?” ... MORE