LAS VEGAS -- Dr. Cindy Orser, the Chief Science Officer of DigiPath Labs, the cannabis testing subsidiary of DigiPath, Inc. (OTCQB: DIGP), was recently interviewed by United Patients Group about the lack of consistency in today's medical cannabis testing industry. In her talk with the online resource for medical cannabis information, she explained that the state-to-state variations in cannabis laws are hurting patients because their lack of uniform requirements makes standardization impossible. 

Previous marijuana tax-revenue estimates were far too low, states a new report by the nonpartisan Grand Canyon Institute.

Arizona would raise about $72 million in revenue annually beginning in 2019 if voters make recreational marijuana legal in Arizona with an anticipated ballot initiative in 2016, says the report, published on the group's website.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas is taking its first step toward easing limits on medical marijuana - even as it imposes bans on synthetic forms of the drug.

A measure allowing some epilepsy patients to get low-THC cannabis oil, Texas’ first concession on medical marijuana, is one of nearly 700 new laws taking effect Tuesday.

Also kicking in are laws strengthening restrictions on synthetic marijuana.

So are laws scrapping criminal penalties for skipping school and ending the “pick-a-pal” grand jury system, which critics said created conflicts of interest.

Elected officials accused of ethics crimes will now be tried in their home counties and “revenge porn,” or posting explicit pictures of ex-lovers online, becomes a crime.

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A medical marijuana dispensary in South Los Angeles went up in flames early Tuesday morning following reports of an explosion at the building.

The fire erupted around 3:40 a.m. in the 6000 block of South Broadway. Approximately 100 Los Angeles City firefighters knocked down the fire around 4:20 a.m.

According to firefighters on scene, no one was inside the structure at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Fire officials said the flames were mostly confined to the second story of the business.

Arson investigators were called to the scene after witnesses told fire officials they heard an explosion prior to the fire.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

STEVENS POINT – Cities across Wisconsin have been slowly decriminalizing marijuana over the past several years by adopting local ordinances that levy only fines against those caught with small amounts of pot.

State law says anyone caught with even a little marijuana can be charged with a misdemeanor crime punishable by jail time and a permanent criminal record. But municipalities, for a variety of reasons, have been adopting local rules that allow first-time offenders to be charged with ordinance violations similar to traffic citations that carry only fines as penalties and don’t show up in Internet crime records.

• Michael Straumietis is the CEO of agricultural firm Advanced Nutrients 
• They develop marijuana-specific nutrients and supplements 
• The 6ft 7in businessman has created a global empire with his products
• Flaunts trips to drug conferences with a harem of women on social media
• He has had brushes with federal agencies including the DEA  

Marijuana laws are relaxing in states across the country.

With it, those involved in the controversial business are becoming more care free.

And one entrepreneur is on his way to becoming the new King of Instagram with wild social media postings of scantily-clad ladies, private jets, and cannabis.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A man sentenced to life in prison without parole on a marijuana-related charge was freed Tuesday from a Missouri prison after being behind bars for two decades — a period in which the nation’s attitudes toward pot have steadily softened.

Family, friends, supporters and reporters flocked to meet Jeff Mizanskey as he stepped out of the Jefferson City Correctional Center into a sunny morning, wearing a new pair of white tennis shoes and a shirt that read “I’m Jeff & I’m free.”

“I spent a third of my life in prison,” said Mizanskey, now 62, who was greeted by his infant great-granddaughter. “It’s a shame.”

LANSING, MI — Marijuana legalization is a "terrible idea," according to Republican presidential candidate and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, whose home state will see a pot proposal on the ballot this fall.

"It sends mixes messages to young people about drugs," Kasich told MLive.com on Tuesday as he wrapped up a two-day swing through Michigan. "I don't think we should do that. We need to tell young people to stay off drugs."

Kasich acknowledged the distinction between marijuana and harder drugs like heroin but suggested that legalization could cloud the issue for young people.

Rob Waugh – 

A cannabis activist

The number of university students smoking marijuana every day has rocketed to a level unseen since 1980.

The increase in daily pot use among American students is thought to be a reaction to looser marijuana policies - including states where use of the drug has been decriminalised.

Use of hard drugs remains low, the study released on Tuesday found.

Nearly 6% of college students reported using pot daily or near-daily in 2014, up from 3.5% in 2007 but less than the 7.2% recorded in 1980, the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future study found.