Democrats Hope Legal Weed Will Smoke GOP At The Ballot Box

Democrats are raising huge sums of cash ahead of November’s midterm elections, but they’re hoping another kind of green wave will help them at the ballot box. In races at the local, state, and federal level, Democratic candidates are embracing the legalization of some form of marijuana ― if not for recreational use, then purely for medicinal purposes ― at a rate not seen in previous elections.

John Boehner says it's time Americans "go all in on the cannabis industry

John Boehner is well-known for his fondness for red wine and cigarettes. But in his new career since retiring as House speaker, the veteran Ohio GOP lawmaker has added marijuana -- or at least the industry -- to his list of vices. In a striking scene, the ex-speaker on Tuesday made a public pitch for why Americans should invest in the growing marijuana market.

Canada won’t keep its cannabis lead for long, once the American brand machine gets rolling, say insiders

The people that for whatever foolish reason thought Canada was going to dominate the world of cannabis, they need to disabuse themselves of that notion' Canada may have a head start in the global cannabis industry now that pot is legal, yet companies targeting the U.S. market say the advantage won’t last long once the American branding machine gets rolling.

Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, Canada Begins a National Experiment

Canada on Wednesday became the first major world economy to legalize recreational marijuana, beginning a national experiment that will alter the country’s social, cultural and economic fabric, and present the nation with its biggest public policy challenge in decades. Across the country, as government pot retailers opened from Newfoundland to British Columbia, jubilant Canadians waited for hours in line to buy the first state-approved joints. For many, it was a seminal moment, akin to the ending of Prohibition in the United States in the 1930s.

Cannabis will be legal in Canada this week, but the industry's landscape is still hazy

Jimmy’s Cannabis will be opening its doors to the public for the first time on Oct. 17 — but it’s still not clear whether there will be any pot products on its shelves. The Saskatchewan-based chain of recreational pot stores is one of 51 retailers to receive a store permit and is putting the finishing touches on two locations, which feature reclaimed barnwood and custom-made display cases and other details to reflect their provincial roots said co-owner David Thomas

Big Tobacco Finally Wakes Up and Smells the Pot

Big Tobacco is finally ready to say, pass that dutch.  Altria Group Inc., the biggest U.S. cigarette company, is reportedly in talks to buy a stake in Aphria Inc., one of a growing number of Canadian cannabis producers that’s attracted the attention of investors this year. The discussions were reported by the Globe & Mail on Wednesday, sending Aphria’s stock soaring 12 percent and giving it a market value of $3.5 billion. Altria, Aphria — it even sounds meant to be.

Colorado prosecutor: Marijuana laws too loose

Colorado’s system for regulating marijuana has too many loopholes that disguise illegal activity and jeopardize public safety, a federal prosecutor said Wednesday, detailing his motivation for boosting scrutiny in the first state to broadly allow cannabis sales. U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer said he is particularly concerned with how companies that grow marijuana account for damaged product and the state’s system allowing people to grow a certain number of plants at home for medical use. He said both situations create an opportunity for marijuana to be sold on the black market and require federal prosecutors to take a closer look at Colorado’s regulated marijuana industry.

Weed in space is going to be a thing now

Scientists interested in cannabis as a subject for pharmaceutical studies may find an unlikely new home for their research into the plant, its byproducts, and biochemistry aboard the International Space Station. Yes, weed is going to space thanks to the work of a small Lexington, Ky.-based startup called Space Tango.

PepsiCo just became the latest beverage company to say it's looking at the fast-growing cannabis market

PepsiCo is taking a hard look at the cannabis industry as other beverage makers explore the market. "I think we'll look at it critically, but I'm not prepared to share any plans that we may have in the space right now," Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston told Jim Cramer and Sara Eisen on CNBC's Squawk on the Street on Tuesday.

N.J. to get legal weed 'sooner than later,' Gov. Murphy says

Hang in there, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday, New Jersey will get legal recreational marijuana "sooner than later." A vote could even happen within weeks, he added. That was Murphy's message during a Facebook Live town hall when asked a question many in the Garden State have: When will his vow to legalize pot here be realized?