BALTIMORE — A state panel charged with regulating Maryland's new medical-marijuana industry announced an agreement Tuesday for Towson University to serve as a consultant on applications from entities seeking licenses as cannabis growers, processors and dispensers.

In its agreement with the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, Towson's Regional Economic Studies Institute, or RESI, will provide oversight in developing applications and assist in managing applicant evaluations, according to a news release issued by the commission.

The panel anticipates that applications and instructions for prospective growers, processors and dispensers will be available on its website in September.

Attitudes in Washington may be shifting in favor of easing marijuana restrictions as health and business benefits become more apparent, but there are still major legislative obstacles ahead.

Three bills that have been introduced to U.S. Congress this year—two with bipartisan support—would pave the way for a more accepting federal environment for cannabis.

“With so many libertarian Republicans and states-rights conservatives, there has been more support from Republicans,” Dan Riffle, director of federal policies for the Marijuana Policy Project said. “…They’re in favor of letting states set their own polices.”

Conventional pesticides used to protect crops could pose a health threat if used to safeguard cannabis crops, experts have warned.

Part of the problem is the gradual industrialisation of cannabis cultivation. When it was grown illegally in small quantities, bug infestation was a nuisance which had to be dealt with.

But with the crop moving from the basement to massive greenhouses, the financial consequences are potentially catastrophic.

Like any other crop, marijuana is vulnerable to bugs and mildew, but because it is smoked, at least one commercial fungicide is known to be dangerous when heated.

It is difficult to pick up a major business publication today without reading about venture capitalists (VCs, defined as professionally-managed VC limited partnerships that invest in early-stage ventures), about their skills in finding great investment opportunities, and about the ventures they fund. And lately in states like Minnesota, it is also about how they can create jobs if the governor would speak favorably about the need for VC and offer some state pension money for them to invest. And since we all like to talk about our successes, the stories are about how entrepreneurs secured VC and soared to wealth in a very short time via an IPO or a strategic sale.

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwired - July 21, 2015) - CannaVest Corp. (OTCBB: CANV), a leading manufacturer and distributor of hemp-derived Cannabidiol (CBD) oil products, announced today that it has entered into a Settlement Agreement with Medical Marijuana, Inc. and its affiliated companies (the "MJNA Parties") to resolve all pending litigation. Pursuant to the settlement, the MJNA Parties will pay CannaVest the sum of $750,000, $150,000 of which has been received and the remaining $600,000 is payable pursuant to the terms of a Secured Promissory Note payable in six equal monthly installments.

Wana Brands, an edibles manufacturing company based in Boulder, Colorado, has created a line of cannabis capsules they've dubbed "Wana Caps" that could be big for medical marijuana patients. The goal was to offer an alternative consumption method to patients other than smoking or consuming edibles.

MIAMI -

A former Miami-Dade police detective has become the 21st person sent to prison in the federal takedown of a major marijuana trafficking organization.

A federal judge Tuesday sentenced Roderick Silva, 46, to three years behind bars after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting a conspiracy with the intent to distribute marijuana.

Under a plea agreement, Silva admitted tipping off members of the Santiesteban gang about impending police raids, how to avoid police and locations of rival gang marijuana grow houses in exchange for cash.

Most members of the gang are serving lengthy prison sentences. Ringleader Derrick Santiesteban was sentenced to life behind bars.

A panel chaired by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom hopes to guide the debate on the legalization of marijuana in California with an emphasis on limiting children’s access to cannabis, reducing illegal activity and tightly regulating the drug's growth and sales. 

In a report released Wednesday, the group lays out 58 recommendations and goals for implementing general legalization -- an issue expected to go before voters next year.

The document offers broad principles --“protecting California’s youth” -- as well as nitty-gritty suggestions for collecting data and limiting advertising.

Two companies are teaming up to make it easier for pot businesses to track their products and comply with regulations, which may finally persuade banks to work with entrepreneurs in the industry.

The cannabis industry still has a banking problem. Although a growing number of states have legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana, it is still illegal under federal law. This makes most banks apprehensive about serving pot businesses.

PHOENIX — The smell of marijuana is no longer enough in Arizona for police to get a warrant and come busting down the door, the state Court of Appeals has ruled.

In a split decision, the judges acknowledged that the odor of the plant, whether fresh or freshly smoked, was enough to provide police with probable cause that a crime was taking place. And that provided the basis to go to a judge to seek permission to enter where the smell was coming from.

But Judge Peter Eckerstrom, writing for the majority, said that changed in 2010 when voters approved the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.