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.

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.

What states could see marijuana legalized In 2017?

Local ordinances to decriminalize weed are catching hold, but not all are successful as their home states attempt to enforce far stricter laws.

Local ordinances to decriminalize weed are catching hold, but not all are successful as their home states attempt to enforce far stricter laws.

Taken together, this year's marijuana surveys suggest that Americans have grown even more bullish on the prospect of legal weed than they were in 2014.

Taken together, this year's marijuana surveys suggest that Americans have grown even more bullish on the prospect of legal weed than they were in 2014.

Despite any recent election disappointments, Bernie Sanders has not slowed down in the least when it comes to supporting causes he cares about, like fair and equal treatment for cannabis businesses.

Despite any recent election disappointments, Bernie Sanders has not slowed down in the least when it comes to supporting causes he cares about, like fair and equal treatment for cannabis businesses.

In a surprising move, the Boston Globe has endorsed the Massachusetts cannabis legalization initiative, Question 4.

In a surprising move, the Boston Globe has endorsed the Massachusetts cannabis legalization initiative, Question 4.

Most state legislatures reconvene in early January, and by February they’re in full swing, moving some bills forward and killing others in committee.

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.

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.

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork) — The legalization of recreational marijuana — is it a growing trend?

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork) — The legalization of recreational marijuana — is it a growing trend?

Marijuana has quickly turned into a non-partisan issue. Young Republicans are definitely mostly sold. According to a 2015 Pew Research survey, 63% of Republican millennials believe marijuana should be legalized. But even older conservatives are getting on board.

Marijuana has quickly turned into a non-partisan issue. Young Republicans are definitely mostly sold. According to a 2015 Pew Research survey, 63% of Republican millennials believe marijuana should be legalized. But even older conservatives are getting on board.

SAN FRANCISCO — To the red-and-blue map of American politics, it may be time to add green. The movement to legalize marijuana, the country’s most popular illicit drug, will take a giant leap on Election Day if California and four other states vote to allow recreational cannabis, as polls suggest they may.

SAN FRANCISCO — To the red-and-blue map of American politics, it may be time to add green. The movement to legalize marijuana, the country’s most popular illicit drug, will take a giant leap on Election Day if California and four other states vote to allow recreational cannabis, as polls suggest they may.

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

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

Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law Tuesday a measure that expands the state’s medical marijuana program.

Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law Tuesday a measure that expands the state’s medical marijuana program.

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.

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

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

The experiences of Colorado and Washington state — the first two states to legalize the drug still considered illegal under federal law — drive the trend.

The experiences of Colorado and Washington state — the first two states to legalize the drug still considered illegal under federal law — drive the trend.

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.

Bill would allow adults to grow up to 5 plants for personal use. Kentucky could become one of the next states to legalize the leaf for recreational purposes.

Bill would allow adults to grow up to 5 plants for personal use. Kentucky could become one of the next states to legalize the leaf for recreational purposes.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

With Iowa’s limited medical cannabis laws set to expire in July, state legislators and medical marijuana advocates say they see an opportunity to rewrite a more comprehensive set of rules when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

With Iowa’s limited medical cannabis laws set to expire in July, state legislators and medical marijuana advocates say they see an opportunity to rewrite a more comprehensive set of rules when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

In Missouri, if you are caught with less than 10 grams of marijuana and you don’t have a prior criminal record, you’ll be charged but only have to pay a fine.

In Missouri, if you are caught with less than 10 grams of marijuana and you don’t have a prior criminal record, you’ll be charged but only have to pay a fine.