Nanny State
Federal Court Ponders Constitutionality of Prostitution Ban
A right to engage in prostitution seems like "a natural extension of Supreme Court precedent," says judge.
Feds 'Rescue' Women from Freedom and Money in 11th 'Operation Cross Country'
Hear from the real victims of this cruel FBI charade.
Who's 'the Harvey Weinstein of' Sex Work? The Police
This week has a lot of people wondering "who's the Harvey Weinstein?" of their industry. For sex workers, the answer is all too often a local cop.
Cases Dropped Against California Cops Accused of Statutory Rape, Prostitution With Police Dispatcher's Daughter
Judge says Bay Area cops accused of sex crimes might not have known that Oakland teenager "Celeste Guap" was underage.
There Aren't Enough Beds in This Virginia Jail for All the Women Caught in Heroin and 'Human Trafficking' Dragnets
"We don't have enough space for them," said sheriff.
Pennsylvania Wants to Get Drunk on Debt
Gov. Tom Wolf's plan to borrow $1.2 billion against future state-run liquor store profits is fiscally risky and legally questionable.
Utah May Bring Back Porn Czar to Target 'Obscenity' Like Cosmo Magazine
From the man that helped Utah declare porn a "public health crisis."
'Blatantly Irrational' Ban on Selling Home-Baked Goods in Wisconsin Must Stop
Despite a May ruling declaring the ban unconstitutional, Wisconsin continued to target home bakers.
D.C. Could Become Only U.S. City to Decriminalize Prostitution
A new bill would remove all criminal penalties in the District for buying or selling sex.
Puerto Rico Responds to Disaster Stupidly by Banning Alcohol Sales
Governor's decree makes recovery even harder for bar owners.
What Hugh Hefner's Daughter Told Reason About Feminism and Pornography
From the Reason archives
California Demands Money from Gatorade to Protect Water from Slander
Silly mobile game pisses off nannies, costs company $300,000.
Ohio Republicans Move to Ban Sexting Between Teens
The bill is being pitched as a way to help teens avoid harsh child-porn laws.
Menthol Cigarette Bans Sweep the Nation
Politicians should butt out of people's personal habits.
Feminist Porn Isn't Free
A new porn platform for women claims to promote ethical, feminist smut while pirating clips and stealing from sex workers.
Dick Pic Makes Teenager Guilty of Sexually Exploiting Himself, High Court Says
The Washington Supreme Court's ruling implies that adolescents who engage in consensual sexting are child pornographers.
Wiretapping Sex Workers, Punishing Pre-Crime, and National Strategy to Stop Sex-Buyers Approved by Senate
Congress moves to grant Trump administration vast new policing powers, because "sex trafficking."
Connecticut Gov. Malloy Wants 75 Percent Wholesale Tax on E-Cigarettes, Vaping Fluid
Connecticut spent too much money, and now vapers and small businesses have to pay the price.
Bullied By the State, Toledo Abortion Clinic Takes Its Fight to Remain Open to the Ohio Supreme Court
The Capital Care Network was ordered to close in 2014. Instead, it took the state to court.
Ted Cruz Defends Dildos on CNN, Calls Himself 'One of the Most Libertarian Members of the Senate'
Cruz is walking back earlier support for sex-toy sales bans after his account liked a porn tweet on Twitter Tuesday.
What Does Child Porn Smell Like? DHS Is Training Dogs To Sniff it Out
Meet Charlie, a two-year-old dog with "game-changing abilities," according to law-enforcement types.
Government Almost Killed the Cocktail
80 years after Prohibition, the Dark Ages of drinking are finally coming to an end.
Bikini Baristas Sue City in the Name of Free Speech and Women's Rights
City worries bikini hot dog stands could be next.
Fixating on Adolescent Vaping Could Be Deadly for Adult Smokers
A new critique of the surgeon general's report on e-cigarettes puts underage use in perspective.
Husband Gets Human-Trafficking Charge for Driving His Wife to a Motel
There was no trafficking victim here-just a couple attempting private sexual activity with another consenting adult. But Maryland cops don't care.
FDA Pushing Forward with Terrible Menu-Labeling Rules
Commissioner Scott Gottlieb applauds the agency's unfortunate mandate and promises clear guidance by the end of the year.
HBO, David Simon Chart the Rise of the Modern Sex Economy in The Deuce
Prostitution and porn during the 1970s focus of new series.
Backpage Executives Escape Pimping Charges Kamala Harris Brought (Twice) Against Them
The state will continue to pursue money-laundering charges against Carl Ferrer, Michael Lacey, and James Larkin.
FDA Lies About Vaping While the CDC Inches Toward the Truth
Federal officials deny big reductions in adolescent tobacco use and obscure the harm-reducing potential of e-cigarettes.
Child Sex-Trafficking Victim Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Prison for Child Sex-Trafficking
Hope Zeferjohn's role was limited to chatting with the "victim"-who was never actually trafficked-on Facebook.
Filming an Absinthe Haze
Friday A/V Club: What psychedelic special effects looked like in 1910
The Government's War on Cocktails [Podcast]
Nick Gillespie talks with Peter Suderman about Prohibition's lingering effects on booze.
No, the Solar Eclipse Will Not Cause a Spike in Sex Trafficking
Like all things 2017, an old urban legend takes an even more ridiculous turn.
Cops Dig Desperately for a Picture That Can Send a Harmless Old Man to Jail
Prosecutors say the former professor poses no threat but should be locked up anyway.
Profiling and Prostitution Pre-Crime in Georgia
In one case, a person whose legal identity was listed as male was arrested for sitting at a bus stop while "dressed as a woman" and carrying condoms.
The Price of Protectionism: More Expensive Beer
The White House will force American can makers to "buy American," driving up prices and costing jobs-without doing anything to help American workers.
They Won't Stop at Backpage
The "Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act" would not stop sexual exploitation. But it could blow up the legal framework that supports the internet as we know it.
Missouri Attorney General Hawley Files Desperate and Deceptive Motion to Dismiss Backpage Lawsuit
AG Josh Hawley's "new evidence" against the U.S. company is actions carried out by foreign contractors for foreign websites.
Federal Judge Notes Good Done by Gay Escort Site, Sentences Founder to Six Months in Prison
The law must be followed, even if breaking the law actually makes people safer.
Honolulu Becomes First City to Ban Texting While Crossing Streets
Its for your own good, you know.
A Cap on Nicotine in Cigarettes Would Be Hazardous to Health
If "light" cigarettes were a scam, how can "nonaddictive" cigarettes be a boon?
San Francisco Bureaucrats Ban Sand at Playgrounds
The Recreation and Parks Department needs to get its priorities straight.
Voters Could Have a Chance to Repeal North Dakota's Insane Blue Laws
Chairs, mirrors, shoes, clothing, and more can't be sold before noon on Sundays. But at least you can buy a beer at 11 a.m.
