By law, New York’s medical marijuana program is due to be up and running for patient prescriptions by early 2016, but what’s the future of the program after that? Will enough patients sign up? Will doctors be willing to issue prescriptions?

For now, state leaders say it’s unclear how many people they expect to qualify for the program.

"I think as we roll out the program, we’re going to get more information so, right now, I anticipate there will be patients who want this therapy and we’ll have more information in the months to come," said Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.

Any discussion about transnational organized crime almost inevitably includes the trade in illicit drugs. A 2011 analysis by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) found that illicit drugs constitute the largest income source for transnational crime, accounting for about half of transnational crime proceeds, and one-fifth of all crime proceeds. The UNODC has estimated the value of the 2003 global illicit drugs market to be US$322 billion— higher than the GDP that year of 88 percent of the world’s countries.

Los Angeles – (September 17, 2015) – Meet True Love, True Spirit and True Calm.

They’re an innovative line of chews for dogs featuring hemp and other plant-based active ingredients to provide joint, calming and antioxidant support for dogs.

This exciting array of new products will be unveiled today by True Leaf Medicine International Ltd., (CSE: MJ) (FRANKFURT: TLA) (“True Leaf” or the “company”) at the Cannabis World Conference and Business Expo in LA.

These first TrueLeafPet products are designed to be incorporated into a daily functional chew for dogs of all ages:

California's billion-dollar medical marijuana industry is about to come in from the cold. (Photo: Medical Marijuana via Shutterstock)

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The Alaska Marijuana Control Board met Sept. 14 in Kotzebue and Sept. 16 in Anchorage to accept the next round of draft regulations, which are to be recommended to the Legislature and approved by Nov. 24. The board focused on marijuana cultivator regulations, one of the four designated marijuana business licenses included in regulations, along with manufacturers, retail stores, and testing facilities.

Three issues dominated discussion both in Kotzebue and in Anchorage: whether cultivator employees can consume cannabis on premises, limited cultivator operations, and product packaging.

Jeb Bush certainly wasn’t the first presidential candidate to admit having smoked weed. Here are 15, including a few who ultimately became president.

Marijuana had a major moment at the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night, taking center stage for the first time this election season. But rather than launch a new war on drugs, several candidates endorsed the right of states to make their own decision on marijuana, clearing the way for an explosion of new pro-pot ballot initiatives in 2016.

Speaking at the presidential library of drug warrior Ronald Reagan, the GOP vanguard might have been expected to double down on opposition to the drug, promising to stamp out marijuana in America. But the biggest cheers came for Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Hewlett Packard executive Carly Fiorina –the three candidates who pledged to let local governments do what they want about pot.

In less than two weeks, Oregonians -- and any one else 21 and older -- will be able to walk into a marijuana shop and buy pot, the latest milestone in the state's long history with the drug.

Though the Oregon Liquor Control Commission doesn't plan to launch a regulated recreational market until late next year, the Legislature authorized medical marijuana dispensaries to sell to the recreational market starting Oct. 1. Until now, dispensaries served only medical marijuana patients and their caregivers. Starting next month, they will be able to sell to anyone with a government-issued ID that shows they are 21.

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

BDS Analytics, a Colorado-based market intelligence firm, announced today it has successfully closed its first round of funding, raising $1.5 million, two-thirds more than its funding goal of $900,000. The deal includes both angel and institutional investors.

TJ’s Organic Provisions' new dispensary in Eugene offers a highly curated collection of flowers, edibles (including delicious Cannavore confections) and extracts sourced from their very own gardens.

Eugene, Oregon (PRWEB) September 18, 2015