WeedLife News Network

Like countless commuters in Denver's urban core, Marty Otañez can't help but smell the pot smoke as he rides to work along the Cherry Creek bike path downtown. "A couple years ago it was only under the bridge at Colfax and Speer," Otañez said of the clouds emanating from public tokers. "Now it's pretty much every 100 meters."

2015 was a pretty amazing year for progress in the legalization of marijuana. Four states and the District of Columbia legalized recreational marijuana, many states decriminalized it and several more states approved medical marijuana.

The Drug Enforcement Administration announced Wednesday it’s making research into the non-intoxicating cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) easier, but advocates for legal access to what appears an effective treatment for epilepsy say the change doesn’t go nearly far enough.

BOSTON – A group of U.S. senators, including Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, is still seeking answers on federal barriers to research on medical marijuana and hit U.S. agencies for a lack of coordination with states on the issue. Warren, Markey and six other senators sent a letter in July asking for information on federal agencies' efforts on medical marijuana research.

BOSTON – A group of U.S. senators, including Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, is still seeking answers on federal barriers to research on medical marijuana and hit U.S. agencies for a lack of coordination with states on the issue. Warren, Markey and six other senators sent a letter in July asking for information on federal agencies' efforts on medical marijuana research.

In 2015, state legislators considered bills to legalize marijuana in 21 states, decriminalize marijuana possession in 17 states, and legalize medical marijuana in 19 states.

In all of the states least likely to legalize pot, possession is a felony under certain circumstances. Perhaps due to strict penalties, estimated usage rates are below average in these states.

Calling itself the "littlest David" battling the "biggest Goliath," a fledgling Colorado credit union took the Federal Reserve to court Monday in a case that may determine whether the cannabis industry will bank openly or continue to operate almost entirely in cash.

A Landrum lawmaker has pre-filed a bill to allow physicians to prescribe CBD oil, also known as cannabis oil or cannabidiol, for some medical conditions.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohioans in November rejected a well-funded proposal to legalize marijuana, but the issue isn't going away anytime soon. More ballot issues are in the works, state lawmakers have vowed to act on medical marijuana, and activists across the state are working on local ballot measures that would allow people to possess marijuana without penalty.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohioans in November rejected a well-funded proposal to legalize marijuana, but the issue isn't going away anytime soon. More ballot issues are in the works, state lawmakers have vowed to act on medical marijuana, and activists across the state are working on local ballot measures that would allow people to possess marijuana without penalty.

Alaska is about to become the first state to have pot cafes where people can buy and consume marijuana, similar to Amsterdam. Right now, that's not legal in other states that have recreational marijuana.

Oklahoma and Nebraska plan to continue to press the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to sue Colorado over its marijuana laws, despite objection from President Barack Obama's administration.

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson said he plans to continue to press the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to sue.

Christmas came early for cannabis research scientists. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) decided to ease some of the regulatory requirements that had been imposed on those who were conducting FDA-approved clinical trials on cannabidiol (CBD).

DENVER - A local nonprofit hit the streets of Downtown Denver on Christmas Eve and gave away a thousand free, pre-rolled marijuana joints to the homeless and anyone else who wanted one. "Merry Christmas and a puff puff, New Year's," said one woman who accepted a joint.

ATLANTA -- The war on medical marijuana is over - that’s what some are saying following a decision Friday by the federal government to ease its stance on the drug.

But the fight continues in Georgia.

ATLANTA -- The war on medical marijuana is over - that’s what some are saying following a decision Friday by the federal government to ease its stance on the drug.

But the fight continues in Georgia.

There's a long and not-very-proud tradition of anti-drug advertising that gets ridiculed for missing the mark with young audiences.

Newspapers in half the states are breaking the law if they mail publications containing ads for marijuana products — even though the states have legalized pot, the U.S. Postal Service said last week.

Cannabis entrepreneur and activist Steve DeAngelo long hated the idea of corporations entering the marijuana industry. But today, DeAngelo thinks partnerships with these giants are crucial for the success of the industry.