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.

What states could see marijuana legalized In 2017?

Recreational marijuana is now legal in California — and that’s a game changer for public health.

Recreational marijuana is now legal in California — and that’s a game changer for public health.

Americans who use cannabis or hold favorable views toward the plant tend to identify themselves politically as Independent rather than as a Democrat or a Republican, according to the results of a Cannalytics consumer research survey published Tuesday.

Americans who use cannabis or hold favorable views toward the plant tend to identify themselves politically as Independent rather than as a Democrat or a Republican, according to the results of a Cannalytics consumer research survey published Tuesday.

Marijuana ballot measures won big on Election Day, and so did candidates who support reforming cannabis policies.

Marijuana ballot measures won big on Election Day, and so did candidates who support reforming cannabis policies.

It’s a joint political effort to pass marijuana reform.

It’s a joint political effort to pass marijuana reform.

DALLAS (1080 KRLD) – In Dallas, being caught with some marijuana may not mean a trip to jail anymore.

DALLAS (1080 KRLD) – In Dallas, being caught with some marijuana may not mean a trip to jail anymore.

The new Congress only just convened on Tuesday, and legislation to reform federal cannabis policies has already been introduced.

The new Congress only just convened on Tuesday, and legislation to reform federal cannabis policies has already been introduced.

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.

Will Donald Trump turn over a new leaf for the cannabis industry?

Will Donald Trump turn over a new leaf for the cannabis industry?

Both candidates have expressed support for medical marijuana, and have encouraged the federal government to allow more states to vote on legalizing marijuana.

Both candidates have expressed support for medical marijuana, and have encouraged the federal government to allow more states to vote on legalizing marijuana.

MADISON, Wis. — As a marijuana extract used to treat seizures becomes more widely embraced, even by former Republican opponents, the conversation in Wisconsin is shifting to whether the time is right to approve medical marijuana.

MADISON, Wis. — As a marijuana extract used to treat seizures becomes more widely embraced, even by former Republican opponents, the conversation in Wisconsin is shifting to whether the time is right to approve medical marijuana.

A bill offering a small expansion to Georgia’s medical marijuana law will be introduced Thursday in the state Senate, the same day the law’s architect expects to file much broader legislation attempting to legalize growing and distributing the drug in-state for medicinal purposes.

The momentum toward marijuana legalization — already accelerated this year by a raft of state ballot measures — could get an even bigger boost if Democrats win control of the Senate.

The momentum toward marijuana legalization — already accelerated this year by a raft of state ballot measures — could get an even bigger boost if Democrats win control of the Senate.

Opponents of Question 1, the ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana Maine, have delivered an early Christmas present to supporters.

Opponents of Question 1, the ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana Maine, have delivered an early Christmas present to supporters.

Although many argue that it is too late to un-ring the bell of marijuana law reform, the state-federal imbalance — already complicated and fragile — cannot hold.

Although many argue that it is too late to un-ring the bell of marijuana law reform, the state-federal imbalance — already complicated and fragile — cannot hold.

Legislators in more than a dozen states have introduced measures to loosen laws restricting access to or criminalizing marijuana, a rush of legislative activity that supporters hope reflects a newfound willingness by public officials to embrace a trend toward legalization.

Legislators in more than a dozen states have introduced measures to loosen laws restricting access to or criminalizing marijuana, a rush of legislative activity that supporters hope reflects a newfound willingness by public officials to embrace a trend toward legalization.

Four governors of states where voters have legalized marijuana for recreational use are asking the Trump administration to leave in place an Obama-era agreement that gave exemptions to the legal pot industry.

Four governors of states where voters have legalized marijuana for recreational use are asking the Trump administration to leave in place an Obama-era agreement that gave exemptions to the legal pot industry.

LINCOLN — Nebraska finds itself in rarefied air when it comes to medical marijuana.

LINCOLN — Nebraska finds itself in rarefied air when it comes to medical marijuana.

TRENTON — Republican Gov. Chris Christie's warning to the Democrat-led Legislature not to move forward with legalizing marijuana is going mostly unheeded.

TRENTON — Republican Gov. Chris Christie's warning to the Democrat-led Legislature not to move forward with legalizing marijuana is going mostly unheeded.

NCIA: At no point in our nation’s history has there been more support from mainstream America for taking marijuana out of the criminal market and putting it behind a legal, regulated counter.

NCIA: At no point in our nation’s history has there been more support from mainstream America for taking marijuana out of the criminal market and putting it behind a legal, regulated counter.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, outgoing President Barack Obama makes his most explicit comments about marijuana decriminalization to date.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, outgoing President Barack Obama makes his most explicit comments about marijuana decriminalization to date.

Medical marijuana is already legal in 26 states. And three more could join the fold on Election Day as Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota are set to vote on medical marijuana ballot issues.

Medical marijuana is already legal in 26 states. And three more could join the fold on Election Day as Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota are set to vote on medical marijuana ballot issues.

Democrats from states where marijuana is legal say so many Americans have access to pot products that the federal government should begin regulating the industry, which generated more than $7 billion in sales last year.

Democrats from states where marijuana is legal say so many Americans have access to pot products that the federal government should begin regulating the industry, which generated more than $7 billion in sales last year.

Lawmakers looking to draw attention to pet issues have formed groups in favor of everything from auto care to zoos. Now, there’s a caucus for cannabis.

Lawmakers looking to draw attention to pet issues have formed groups in favor of everything from auto care to zoos. Now, there’s a caucus for cannabis.