COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Rep. Eric Bedingfield once shunned all marijuana use, but when his eldest son's six-year struggle with opioid addiction ended with his overdose a year ago, the conservative Republican co-sponsored medical cannabis legislation.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Rep. Eric Bedingfield once shunned all marijuana use, but when his eldest son's six-year struggle with opioid addiction ended with his overdose a year ago, the conservative Republican co-sponsored medical cannabis legislation.

Adult-use cannabis legalization is sweeping across the nation, and globe.

Adult-use cannabis legalization is sweeping across the nation, and globe.

Approximately 250 cannabis business professionals will take part in policy discussions and citizen lobby meetings to advocate for fair treatment of the legal cannabis industry.

Approximately 250 cannabis business professionals will take part in policy discussions and citizen lobby meetings to advocate for fair treatment of the legal cannabis industry.

Most Americans believe marijuana use should be legal, according to a new survey.

Most Americans believe marijuana use should be legal, according to a new survey.

After about a year of discussions with a medical cannabis education organization, Sonoma State University will finally be offering its first course in medical cannabis in March.

The 4/24 event calls on Congress to federally legalize marijuana and allow the District to fully enact its 2014 ballot measure.

The 4/24 event calls on Congress to federally legalize marijuana and allow the District to fully enact its 2014 ballot measure.

The issue is currently stalled mostly because the current Governor, Chris Christie, has vowed to veto any effort to legalize recreational use of the drug. 

The issue is currently stalled mostly because the current Governor, Chris Christie, has vowed to veto any effort to legalize recreational use of the drug. 

Lawmakers appear to have reached a compromise Thursday that would expand Georgia’s medical marijuana law.

Lawmakers appear to have reached a compromise Thursday that would expand Georgia’s medical marijuana law.

During a call with reporters, Congressman Earl Blumenauer said the pot reform movement will continue its march to achieve nation-wide legalization as public opinion sways in favor of weed.

During a call with reporters, Congressman Earl Blumenauer said the pot reform movement will continue its march to achieve nation-wide legalization as public opinion sways in favor of weed.

Five measures concerning marijuana were introduced in Congress on May 30.

Five measures concerning marijuana were introduced in Congress on May 30.

MACON, Ga. (AP) -- Once a month, a cardboard box from Colorado appears at the office of a conservative Christian lawmaker in central Georgia, filled with derivatives of marijuana, to be distributed around the state in the shadows of the law.

MACON, Ga. (AP) -- Once a month, a cardboard box from Colorado appears at the office of a conservative Christian lawmaker in central Georgia, filled with derivatives of marijuana, to be distributed around the state in the shadows of the law.

ATLANTA – A new proposal to amend the current state medical marijuana law, also known as Hayleigh’s Hope Act, is on its way to the Senate.

ATLANTA – A new proposal to amend the current state medical marijuana law, also known as Hayleigh’s Hope Act, is on its way to the Senate.

Republican Congressman Introduces Bill That Would Resolve the Conflict Between State and Federal Marijuana Laws, Allow States to Determine Their Own Policies.

Republican Congressman Introduces Bill That Would Resolve the Conflict Between State and Federal Marijuana Laws, Allow States to Determine Their Own Policies.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Marijuana advocates are trying to lay the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state in the Midwest and the ninth nationwide to legalize recreational pot, arguing the move will help solve the state’s notorious budget crisis.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Marijuana advocates are trying to lay the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state in the Midwest and the ninth nationwide to legalize recreational pot, arguing the move will help solve the state’s notorious budget crisis.

Lawmakers are proposing to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois but say the legislation probably won't come up for a vote until next year.

Lawmakers are proposing to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois but say the legislation probably won't come up for a vote until next year.

Legal recreational marijuana will be part of Illinois’ future. It’s a matter of when, not if. That’s the message from lawmakers backing legislation to fully legalize and regulate pot, and the coalition of groups lining up to support the bills.

Legal recreational marijuana will be part of Illinois’ future. It’s a matter of when, not if. That’s the message from lawmakers backing legislation to fully legalize and regulate pot, and the coalition of groups lining up to support the bills.

A Kansas Senate committee approved a bill Thursday that would allow doctors and physicians to prescribe and dispense “non-intoxicating” medicine derived from marijuana.

A Kansas Senate committee approved a bill Thursday that would allow doctors and physicians to prescribe and dispense “non-intoxicating” medicine derived from marijuana.

A small, bipartisan group of lawmakers is renewing a push at the federal level to legalize marijuana, calling it a criminal justice issue.

A small, bipartisan group of lawmakers is renewing a push at the federal level to legalize marijuana, calling it a criminal justice issue.

Huntington has become a hot destination, even if most visitors only stay long enough to buy marijuana products from the dispensaries in town.

Huntington has become a hot destination, even if most visitors only stay long enough to buy marijuana products from the dispensaries in town.

A handful of federal bills can protect the marijuana industry and patients.

A handful of federal bills can protect the marijuana industry and patients.

State regulators and government officials involved in crafting rules for the budding legal and medical marijuana industry are going to pot.

State regulators and government officials involved in crafting rules for the budding legal and medical marijuana industry are going to pot.

Medical marijuana advocates will descend on Capitol Hill Tuesday.

Medical marijuana advocates will descend on Capitol Hill Tuesday.

But does the proposal go far enough?

But does the proposal go far enough?

A broad expansion to Georgia’s medical marijuana law passed a key House panel Monday, moving a step closer to a floor vote ahead of Friday’s deadline for passage.

A broad expansion to Georgia’s medical marijuana law passed a key House panel Monday, moving a step closer to a floor vote ahead of Friday’s deadline for passage.

(ABC) - A majority of American adults have tried marijuana at least once in their lives, according to a new Marist poll that was conducted in partnership with Yahoo.

(ABC) - A majority of American adults have tried marijuana at least once in their lives, according to a new Marist poll that was conducted in partnership with Yahoo.

The Medical Cannabis Act has made its way past the first hurdle of many on the road to becoming law in Nebraska.