The New Jersey Department of Health, which regulates medical marijuana, has long taken a hands-off approach, telling patients they are free to create edibles with the raw cannabis that is sold.

The New Jersey Department of Health, which regulates medical marijuana, has long taken a hands-off approach, telling patients they are free to create edibles with the raw cannabis that is sold.

Arizona voters are poised to decide whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Arizona voters are poised to decide whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

Why not ask Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump some pointed questions about legalizing marijuana?

Why not ask Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump some pointed questions about legalizing marijuana?

Voters in California and Massachusetts approved recreational marijuana initiatives Tuesday night, and several other states passed medical marijuana provisions in what is turning out to be the biggest electoral victory for marijuana reform since 2012, when Colorado and Washington first approved the drug's recreational use.

Voters in California and Massachusetts approved recreational marijuana initiatives Tuesday night, and several other states passed medical marijuana provisions in what is turning out to be the biggest electoral victory for marijuana reform since 2012, when Colorado and Washington first approved the drug's recreational use.

Although Nevada legalized recreational use of marijuana for anyone 21 and over in November, public consumption still is illegal.

Although Nevada legalized recreational use of marijuana for anyone 21 and over in November, public consumption still is illegal.

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.

NYU study seeks to understand the prevalence of use in older adults.

NYU study seeks to understand the prevalence of use in older adults.

Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) take on the RNC.

Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) take on the RNC.

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

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

Advocates for legalizing marijuana say they have reason to believe their mission to make America mellow has its most receptive audience ever among candidates running for president.

Advocates for legalizing marijuana say they have reason to believe their mission to make America mellow has its most receptive audience ever among candidates running for president.

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.

A ballot measure to approve all uses of cannabis is moving forward, Robert Reed, a backer of the constitutional amendment, said Thursday.

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 Bernie stepped aside in the race for president of the United States, the closest ally the industry has is Hillary Clinton.

After Bernie stepped aside in the race for president of the United States, the closest ally the industry has is Hillary Clinton.

Activists celebrate the strides they've made in a once intractable issue in recent years.

Activists celebrate the strides they've made in a once intractable issue in recent years.

What states could see marijuana legalized In 2017?

North Carolinians overwhelmingly want to see medical marijuana legalized, according to a new Elon University poll.

North Carolinians overwhelmingly want to see medical marijuana legalized, according to a new Elon University poll.

Two South Carolina bills planned for introduction in 2017 would legalize medical cannabis for qualifying patients in the state, effectively nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same.

Two South Carolina bills planned for introduction in 2017 would legalize medical cannabis for qualifying patients in the state, effectively nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same.

The day after Gov. Christie signed a bill allowing vets to use marijuana for post-traumatic stress syndrome, he was greeted by cheers - and some boos - as he exited his black SUV and walked to the entrance of the Trenton Statehouse.

The day after Gov. Christie signed a bill allowing vets to use marijuana for post-traumatic stress syndrome, he was greeted by cheers - and some boos - as he exited his black SUV and walked to the entrance of the Trenton Statehouse.

Tiffany Wigginton Carnal is in the fight of her life to save her daughter.

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.

DENVER — Nearly 60 million Americans may wake up Nov. 9 to find voters in their states have abolished long-standing marijuana prohibitions, a three-fold expansion for legal cannabis across the country.

DENVER — Nearly 60 million Americans may wake up Nov. 9 to find voters in their states have abolished long-standing marijuana prohibitions, a three-fold expansion for legal cannabis across the country.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Hours after his wife pleaded guilty to misdemeanor pot-possession charges connected with two pounds of the drug found at their house, Utah’s Democratic candidate for governor pushed Tuesday for the legalization of medical marijuana.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Hours after his wife pleaded guilty to misdemeanor pot-possession charges connected with two pounds of the drug found at their house, Utah’s Democratic candidate for governor pushed Tuesday for the legalization of medical marijuana.

A bill to allow people with seizure disorders or other debilitating medical conditions to use a product that comes from the same plant as marijuana was passed by the Alabama Legislature on Wednesday.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A store in Alaska is set to be the first in the state offering retail marijuana sales, with the grand opening scheduled for Saturday at what the operators are calling "high noon."

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A store in Alaska is set to be the first in the state offering retail marijuana sales, with the grand opening scheduled for Saturday at what the operators are calling "high noon."

The state approved its first licenses for commercial cannabis businesses Thursday, a major step for prospective retailers hoping to open shop before year’s end.

The state approved its first licenses for commercial cannabis businesses Thursday, a major step for prospective retailers hoping to open shop before year’s end.

Legal or not, millions of Americans already use marijuana regularly.