In more ways than one, Donald Trump is an unusual presidential candidate. Many people have tried to write off his unorthodox presidential campaign, but polling numbers seem to indicate that Trump has staying power, as he leads among GOP primary voters nationally and in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) have both issued guidance intending to ease concerns that the federal government would target banks working with marijuana businesses with the goal of “enhancing the availability of financial services for marijuana businesses.” DOJ guidance has proved helpful in providing guidance for marijuana businesses to operate within specific state boundaries; however, the financial services industry remains uncertain about opening its doors to the marijuana industry.

The buffalo is widely known to be a symbol of Native American culture. Tribes used the animal in its entirety, with every part having its purposes -- the muscle for meat, fat for soap and cooking oil, bones for knives and other tools, the hide for clothing and shelter. But did you know that hemp is often referred to as the "green buffalo"? Much like the buffalo, all parts of the hemp plant are valuable as they offer sustainable, renewable alternatives for everyday products.

The United States has reached a turning point in its epidemic of mass incarceration. A consensus is growing across the country -- from the White House and both aisles of Congress to cities and states of all sizes -- that enough is enough. The nation is finally engaged in a frank discussion of how to get out of this mess.

The momentum is heartening but not nearly enough. We've only scratched the surface -- feel-good rhetoric, a few dozen pardons -- while leaving the larger, unjust, racist system intact.

Marijuana prohibition is entering its 78th year. Colorado’s marijuana law went into effect at the beginning of last year in the wake of changing attitudes. Compared to 1969, when only 12% supported legalizing pot, today a majority of Americans support legalizing recreational use of the drug.

Conversations about cannabis policy are heating up. So it’s no surprise that we suddenly seem immersed in claims and counterclaims on a slew of topics related to cannabis use and regulation.

Cannabis causes schizophrenia. Cannabis regulation leads to increased traffic fatalities. These are just some of the examples that seem to pop up, again and again, in news articles and online. They sound true, perhaps because they are repeated so many times, and also because they are often said to be based on scientific evidence.

Professional gamers competing in events run by eSports body ESL are now banned from using marijuana during competitions, under the organisation’s new anti-doping policy.

ESL announced plans in July to introduce the policy, promising that it would be “fair, feasible and conclusive while also respecting the privacy of players”. Now it has published details of its plans.

Stoners will soon be able to choose if they want to be ‘chilled’ or ‘giggly’ when they sit down to get blasted.

American company Ebbu is creating cannabis oils built to create different ‘feelings’ for users – with five flavours: giggle, create, energy, chill, and bliss.

The Ebbu oils will be used in cannabis cakes and fizzy drinks.

How do you want to feel?

Ebbu will market its products in states where cannabis is legal – and produces the oils by distilling different cannabinoids from marijuana plants to create different feelings.

‘Consumers don’t purchase edibles based on flavoring, they purchase based on how it’s going to make the person feel,’ says the firm’s co-founder Dooma Wendschuh.

In an effort to make pot-infused products more distinguishable for consumers, edible marijuana products in Colorado may soon come with octagon-shaped red warning labels, according to a draft of new rules released Wednesday by state marijuana regulators.

Multiple instances of people unwittingly consuming marijuana edibles have been reported, including one case where a man ended up in the hospital at the 2014 Denver County Fair.

The prospect of children accidentally consuming pot products is especially concerning to many, and state regulators are also looking into banning the word “candy” on cannabis-infused sweets – even ones that are otherwise usual chocolate or gummies.

The National Institutes of Health through its National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded $115,714 in taxpayer funds to Washington University to study the influence of genetics on cannabis use.

“Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in developed nations and both cannabis use and misuse have undergone increase in the past 2 years. Yet, far too little is known of the genetic underpinnings,” the grant stated.