With weed now permitted in some form in 23 U.S. states, the flow of cannabis out of Mexico has slowed and, to a degree, reversed

The street lieutenant fidgeting in a Ciudad Juárez pizza parlor deals drugs for Barrio Azteca, a gang that emerged from Texas prisons in the 1980s to control a chunk of illegal shipments from Mexico into the U.S. Southwest. Think No Country for Old Men—secret nighttime drops, murders, and a lucrative sideline in human trafficking and prostitution. Meeting with a reporter while his heavyset boss circles the block, the Juárez dealer is preoccupied with his hottest new product: handcrafted American-made pot.

Cannabis and technology — two of the Bay Area’s biggest exports — are about to become even more intertwined.

One thousand of the cannabis industry’s leading technologists, investors, and media professionals will gather for the world’s first technology, venture capital and media-focused cannabis industry conference, the New West Summit Friday and Saturday, November 20th and 21st, at Parc 55 San Francisco.

The Arizona Supreme Court recently agreed to review an appeals court decision that decided drivers who have medical marijuana cards can be prosecuted for driving under the influence if they’re found to have marijuana in their system.

In two cases, defendants who had medical marijuana cards argued they should be able to use their medical marijuana cards as defense like other prescription drugs are used.  But, the District One appeals court disagreed.

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Medical marijuana dispensaries may be coming to Utica and Rochester.

A company that has applied to the state for a medical marijuana license announced today it will open dispensaries in those cities as well as Newburgh and Brooklyn if it gets a license.

PalliaTech, a Long Island based company, said the four proposed dispensaries will provide access to medical marijuana for patients who live in 52 of the state's 62 counties.

A bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2016 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations spending bill that prohibits DEA and Department of Justice funds from being used to interfere in states that have legalized medical marijuana passed the House today by a margin of 242-186. The amendment is a renewal of the one that passed in May of last year and was reintroduced by Representatives Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Sam Farr (D-CA). A similar amendment was also passed protecting states that have allowed industrial hemp.

One night last year, Karyn Wagner, founder of Paradigm Medical Marijuana, smoked a joint before having sex with her partner — a fairly unremarkable move in terms of foreplay, but this time the results were something special. “After I smoked this one,” she remembers, “I said, You know, honey, that was perfect. Save it for next time.” Her partner dutifully labeled the bag “Sexpot." And inspiration struck.

Sexxpot, derived from a low-THC strain called Mr. Nice, has been grown, packaged, and branded (with an extra x) by Wagner’s company as an "aphrodisiac weed" — the first to specifically target women.

The subject of management companies has been cropping up a lot lately. Hilary Bicken and I were at a NORML conference in Aspen last weekend, and a number of the attorneys there, especially those with roots in the California medical marijuana community, had questions about dealing with management company structures. On a side note, we really like that NORML is still chugging along. A lot of voices for industry are popping up as different states legalize, and it is nice that NORML continues to be a voice for legalization and consumer advocacy; it is a good check on the corporate side of the industry. But back to management companies — what are they and why are they risky?

MADISON — Lawmakers and parents told a Wisconsin committee on Wednesday that a bill that would allow residents to legally possess a marijuana derivative to treat seizure disorders would help give people relief while a doctor said it could have potential dangerous repercussions.

The Assembly Committee on Children and Families heard testimony on a bill that would allow parents to legally possess cannabidiol oil known by the acronym CBD, which doesn't produce a high in users. Families with the drug wouldn't be able to produce, purchase or transport the drug in Wisconsin and would still be subject to federal law.

The rise of cannabis oils has been one of the biggest and most surprising drivers of the total cannabis industry. Cannabis oils, related consumer devices, and derivative edibles now take up a good portion of the retail space in your typical dispensary in legal-use states, such as Washington.

The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday approved a measure that prevents the federal government from meddling with state medical marijuana programs, advocates said.

An amendment to the House version of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, prohibits the U.S. Justice Department — including the Drug Enforcement Administration — from using federal money to meddle with state laws that allow the farming and selling of medical marijuana, advocates said.