Spence Purnell
Director of Technology Policy, Reason Foundation
Spence Purnell is Director of Technology Policy at the Reason Foundation.
Prior to joining Reason, Spence worked as director of business development at Florida startup Dealers United and as an analyst for the state of Florida's Executive Office of the Governor (Florida Gubernatorial Fellowship).
Spence graduated from Stetson University with a bachelors degree in political science and is working on an MPA at Florida State, where his research has focused on database infrastructure and analytics, economic development, and policy evaluation methods.
Purnell is based in Florida.
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Florida bill to expunge juvenile records headed to Gov. DeSantis’ desk, again
In response to Florida Gov. Ron Desantis' claims, the new state bill, House Bill 195, clearly excludes forcible felonies from being expunged.
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Florida’s proposed data privacy law would hurt consumers and businesses
While trying to give consumers more control over their data, House Bill 9 violates several of the best practices for good consumer privacy laws.
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The SEC’s proposed exchange rule change would stifle innovation and technology growth
The ramifications of so many changes are likely not well understood by all parties involved and could alter the market in unpredictable or unhealthy ways.
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Texas social media law violates the First Amendment
Prohibiting social media companies from engaging in content moderation would harm consumers.
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States Reform Act would automatically expunge federal criminal records for marijuana offenses
Decriminalization and legalization of marijuana should go hand-in-hand with expunging past cannabis-related criminal records.
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Online retail sales haven’t grown as fast as you may think, report says
Census data reveal online sales still only make up about 15% of total retail sales.
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Medical marijuana users have Second Amendment rights, deserve the right to self-defense
Due to federal drug laws, medical marijuana patients are losing their Second Amendment gun rights.
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Congress Needs to Stop Blocking Legal Marijuana Sales in Washington, D.C.
The answer isn't more police enforcement, the answer is to enable legal marijuana markets in the city.
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Missouri Law Restores Medical Marijuana Users’ Second Amendment Rights
Due to federal regulations, legal medical marijuana cardholders are unable to legally purchase or own firearms under federal law.
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President Biden Says Drug Users Shouldn’t Go To Jail
“No one should go to jail for a drug offense, no one should go to jail for the use of a drug," President Joe Biden said.
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New Michigan Law Will Automatically Expunge Some Criminal Records
But the law does not automatically expunge the huge backlog of marijuana-related crimes that are no longer illegal in the state.
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Watch Experts Evaluate the Various Approaches to Marijuana Taxation
A panel discussion on what states have done right and wrong as they've legalized and taxed marijuana.
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States, and Taxpayers, Need Better Transportation Data
State transportation departments have largely failed to adopt modern data and technology capabilities—and our roads are worse for it.
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We Need More, and Better, Data on Policing and the Criminal Justice System
The lack of quality data on policing reflects the poor state of transparency in the criminal justice system and is holding back law enforcement reform efforts.
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Ending the War On Drugs Is Key To Long-Term Police Reform
It is well past time to end the drug war, to legalize most simple drug possession — especially marijuana — and end practices like qualified immunity.
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State Legislature Undermines Mississippi’s Medical Marijuana Ballot Initiative
The legislature’s proposal would severely restrict the number of legal medical marijuana suppliers and manufacturers.
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After the $2.3 Trillion Stimulus, President Trump Wants Another $2 Trillion Stimulus for “Phase Four”
The first $2.3 trillion stimulus package lacked transparency and was riddled with corporate bailouts. Before it even hit bank accounts, politicians were calling for more.
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State Unemployment Websites Crash as COVID-19 Shines Light on Government Technology Failures
States need to prioritize creating more functional, advanced, and robust government websites and services that meet the needs of the taxpayers who pay for them.