Potential small ganja investors are overwhelmed that regulations to guide Jamaica's legal cannabis industry have now been approved. Yesterday, a week after being appointed by Cabinet to lead the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), the new board of directors approved the regulations to start the process.

"When we heard, we were overwhelmed that finally, after over 100 years and many being persecuted for this highly medicinal natural herb that our forefathers have always known holds the key to curing so many diseases, legal steps are being taken to develop it as an industry," Omar Gordon told The Gleaner.

"The cultivation of ganja holds the key to Jamaica's overall development, whether it be educationally, culturally, medicinally, or economically."

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says storefront shops selling marijuana will continue to blur the lines of the law around pot until the federal government clarifies the rules around the use of recreational weed.

The federal government plans to unveil new legislation next spring that would legalize cannabis. In the meantime, cities have seen a growing number of marijuana dispensaries open up.

Wynne says cities and provinces remain confused over what to do with those pot shops because Ottawa has yet to clarify rules between recreational and medicinal marijuana.

"That clarification hasn't happened and I think there is some blurring of the line," she said. "We're a bit in the weeds.

A bill that would establish a marijuana study institute at Colorado State University-Pueblo was passed by the state House on Friday, but will go to a conference committee to work out language changes.

SB191 passed the state Senate on April 26. On Friday, the House voted 57-7 on the bill, with all four local representatives voting for the bill.

Germany's top health regulator reported last week that the country will pass sweeping medical marijuana legislation that will allow Germans with illness access to the drug. Separately, momentum is building in Canada for pro-pot legislation that will allow for recreational use. Since these advances in the marijuana movement could influence decisions here in the U.S., let's learn more about what's going on.

The inexorable momentum towards cannabis legalisation has taken hold across the globe. New, courageous policies are emerging in all corners of the earth – from Uruguay to Canada, from Ireland to Germany, a wave of positive reforms are being passed or pondered over by policymakers. 

 Despite what you've read in the news, marijuana legalization in Vermont isn't dead. Yes, the House defeated a Senate bill that would have legalized recreational marijuana use. But that setback hasn't derailed the movement. 

"Definitely the best is yet to come," Matt Simon - New England Political Director of the Marijuana Policy Project - told Civilized. "I hate losing but we're not losing. We're on the way to marijuana being legal across New England in the next two to three years."

Here's why Simon is so positive.

In a (successful) effort to stir up media attention for an Arizona legalization initiative, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol this week put up Mothers Day-themed billboards in Phoenix and Tucson.

The ads turn the typical parental cannabis conversation on its head. “Have you talked to your parents about marijuana?” they ask.

As sticky as the slogan might be, the blast is the latest example of a broader trend. And in this case it’s not the message, it’s the medium.

On May 5, 2016, Honolulu Civil Beat released an interview with Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, with the comedic duo discussing marijuana legalization and Donald Trump. Cheech and Chong were in Honolulu as a part of their national tour.

“We always used to say, ‘What if we’re right? What if marijuana is good for you and does you some good?'” Cheech recalled.

“And we were right,” Chong said.

In regards to businessman Donald Trump as a presidential candidate, “Donald Trump really is like an aptitude test for the American public,” Chong said.

Senior citizens in Victoria support council’s push to adopt a bylaw that allows edible pot products in medical marijuana dispensaries, despite health and safety concerns raised by the province’s medical health officer, says Mayor Lisa Helps.

Victoria’s council voted in favour of preparing a medical marijuana business bylaw Thursday that permits the sale of edible pot products, keeps marijuana businesses 200 metres apart from each other and prohibits any forms of advertising.

The bylaw will also keep the dispensaries 200 metres away from schools and licensed daycares.

One week after being appointed by Cabinet to lead the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), a new Board of Directors has approved the regulations that will guide the start of Jamaica’s legal ganja industry.

The CLA, which was created by the Dangerous Drug (Amendment) Act 2015, has powers to make and oversee the implementation of regulations for licences, permits and other authorisations for the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and transportation of hemp as well as ganja, for medicinal, scientific and therapeutic purposes.