Colorado's Governor, Who Founded a Brewpub, Nixes Cannabis 'Tasting Rooms'
John Hickenlooper claims letting pot store customers sample the merchandise conflicts with a ballot initiative that promised to regulate marijuana like alcohol.
Nanny State
D.C. Candidates Battle Over Decriminalizing Sex Work
With the D.C. primary approaching, candidates are quizzed on a bill that would decriminalize prostitution in the district.
Will San Franciscans Vote to Ban Flavored Vaping?
A well-intentioned public health proposal could creation a public health problem by limiting options for smokers who want to quit.
John McAfee and Porn Star Cherie* DeVille Running for President in 2020, Maybe as Libertarians
The antivirus-software pioneer is flying the crypto flag, while the adult actress is running on weed, Net Neutrality, and #MeToo.
Woman's Jersey Beach Beatdown by Police Goes Viral
How did an accusation of underage drinking end up with a 20-year-old eating sand?
When You're Done Reading This Issue of Reason, You Might Want to Burn It
We offer how-tos, personal stories, and guides for all kinds of activities that can and do happen right at the borders of legally permissible behavior.
What to Know Before You Pay for Sex
Tips, tricks, and common sense to make hiring an escort a breeze
Eighteen Is Old Enough for War But Not Sexting, Say Ohio Lawmakers
The House Criminal Justice Committee just voted unanimously in favor of a bill to ban sexting by anyone under age 19.
Protectionism vs. Cheap Beer
If you tax something, you get less of it, and Trump's tariffs are a tax on making things-including cans, kegs, and the beer that goes into them.
How We Became a 'Nation of Narcs' and How To Fix It: Podcast
Reason's Mike Riggs discusses how class anxiety, busybodyism, and a lack of empathy are making America a less-great country.
New Cancer Report Tries To Scare You Out of Eating Sausage and Bacon
Nevertheless, U.S. cancer rates are stable for women and declining for men.
New York the Latest City to Take Aim At Plastic Straws
Momentum to ban these convenient suckers keeps growing.
Another City Cites Bogus Stats From 9-Year-Old to Justify Straw Ban
Vancouver is the latest city to take aim at singe-use plastic straws.
With or Without Legalization, Sports Betting is Here to Stay
U.S. politicians prevented the development of a legal market for sports betting, driving eager gamblers to underground bookies.
Sacramento Wants to Boost Rail Ridership By Banning Drive-Throughs and Gas Stations Near Transit
The logic of the policy is perplexing.
This Taco Bell Can't Get a Liquor License Because City Officials Don't Like Taco Bell
But the pizza place next door can have one.
20-Year-Old Whiskey in 6 Days: Will This Self-Taught Chemist Upend the Liquor Industry?
Bryan Davis created a chemical reactor that compresses time, bringing an artistic sensibility back to aged spirits.
Human Trafficking Court in Delaware Shuts Down for Lack of Human-Trafficking Victims
The Delaware Criminal Justice Council found it difficult to "justify the resources that have been expend on so few" participants with such a "low rate of success."
Anti-Sex Work Crusaders Now Coming for Legal Prostitution in Nevada
"Of course the voices of actual sex workers are nowhere to be found," says brothel worker and PhD student Christina Parreira.
Beset By Homelessness, Rising Rents, Nightmarish Traffic, San Francisco Cracks Down on Dockless Scooters
Bay City residents, politicians should be more chill about electric scooters.
FDA Investigation of Adolescent Juuling Could Endanger Adult Smokers
What if the e-cigarette features that appeal to teenagers also appeal to grownups?
Pardon Jack Johnson
The White Slavery Panic of the late 19th/early 20th centuries caused Congress to pass the vaguely-worded Mann Act. It allowed the FBI and prosecutors broad discretion to go after individuals they didn't like.
British Politicians Declare War on Knives
Having failed to thwart crime with gun bans, British officials now want to restrict what may be the most useful tool ever invented.
Law Prohibiting 'Revenge Porn' Violates First Amendment, Says Texas Appeals Court
The state law targeted people who share erotic photographs of others without their consent.
Some California Cities Are Making It Harder to Quit Smoking
Bans of flavored tobacco products end up leaving smokers with few options for kicking the habit, and do little to improve public health.
U.K. Goes Full Nanny State With Proposed Nationwide Plastic Straw Ban
Want to cut back on plastic marine waste? Focus on waste management systems, not drinking straws.
Relax—You'll Probably Survive Until Tomorrow
Americans have a poor sense of risk, and media panics don't help.
Backpage Plea to Texas Sex Trafficking Charge Turns On CEO's Admission to Brokering Adult Prostitution
Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer turned over the company and seven other executives in exchange for leniency.
S.C. Bill Would Make It a Crime to Let Teenagers Drink Red Bull
A state legislator says energy drinks pose a deadly threat to minors.
Backpage Founder's 93 Charges Lack Actual Sex-Trafficking Claims
Indictment reveals money-laundering, conspiracy charges, and a tricky federal law known as the Travel Act.
Beware Censorship by Proxy
Prodding private companies into self-censorship is a dangerous government tradition.
Feds Seize Control of Backpage.com; Founder Faces 93-Count Indictment
Site had long been a target for sex work and sex trafficking advertisements.
Open Season on Russian Oligarchs, Prison Porn Ban Heads to Court, How the Media Got the Pulse Massacre Wrong: Reason Roundup
Plus: YouTube shooter bought and registered gun legally.
Dear Politicians: Stop Taxing Us to Death
Philadelphia's soda tax is the latest example of government run amok.
New Backpage Ruling Lays Bare Some of the Lies Undergirding FOSTA
The ruling allows a civil suit against Backpage to proceed for one of the case's three plaintiffs.
Trump Says Syria Withdrawal Coming 'Soon,' Weed 'Beer' Promises Buzz With No Alcohol, California May Slap Cancer Warning on Coffee: Reason Roundup
Plus: Billy Corgan says he's a "free-market libertarian capitalist" and Westworld's robots are on a rampage.
State Kills Anti-Porn Bill After Discovering More About Its Backer, Free Speech Win for FX's Feud, FISA Warrants Under Scrutiny: Reason Roundup
And President Trump is mad at Amazon for...ruining the postal service?
Shhh! Virginia Bars Can Host Happy Hour, but Can't Talk About It
Advertising "half-priced drinks" is legal. Advertising "two-for-one" drinks is not. Huh?
Dentist Threatens to Report Parents for Neglect Unless They Bring in Their Kids (and Wallets)
Mandatory abuse reporting requirements lead to a novel marketing scheme.
FDA's Low-Nicotine Cigarette Scheme Is an Invitation to Black Market Vendors
People will find sources for what they want no matter what presumptuous regulators say.
Hours After FOSTA Passes, Reddit Bans 'Escorts' and 'SugarDaddy' Communities
The great content crackdown has begun.
FOSTA Passes Senate, Making Prostitution Ads a Federal Crime Against Objections from DOJ and Trafficking Victims
The measure will "make it harder, not easier, to root out and prosecute sex traffickers," said Sen. Ron Wyden, one of only two senators to vote no on FOSTA.
