California is the sixth largest economy in the world, based on gross domestic product. And in November, voters legalized recreational marijuana, something that will further diversify the state’s portfolio.

Reno Public Radio’s Noah Glick sat down with Amanda Rhoades of the Sierra Sun to talk about this new law and how communities around Lake Tahoe are approaching this growing industry.

Cannabis use declined significantly in Australia between 2001 and 2013, according to a new report out of the University of New South Wales. But while the use-rate data seem solid, the underlying reasons for the decline are harder to pin down.

Between 2001 and 2013, consumption fell dramatically, especially among  young people. Among individuals aged 14 to 19, past-year use dropped from 24.4% to 14.8%. Among those in their 20s, past-year use declined from 29.1% to 20.8%. The only recorded uptick was a slight rise in consumption among those in their 40s.

In West Virginia, a new law includes a provision that requires regulators to encourage minority-owned business owners to apply for growing licenses. (Photo by Heath Korvola/ Digital Vision/Getty Images)

In some states that have legalized marijuana, officials are trying to entice nonwhite citizens to join the cannabis industry with breaks aimed at making up for the toll unequal drug enforcement has taken on Black and brown communities.

So far, the booming industry has overwhelmingly line the pockets of white cannabis sellers.

New Hampshire is slated to decriminalize marijuana possession within a matter of months after the state House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday reducing penalties for individuals caught with small amounts of pot.

The state House passed the decriminalization measure by a voice vote Thursday sans debate, sending the bill to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk to be signed into law.

Mr. Sununu, a Republican, said earlier this month that he plans to approve the measure, House Bill 640, and applauded the state legislature for passing what he called “common sense marijuana reform.”

A recent article published by the Associated Press highlights the Justice Department's intention to roll back Eric Holder’s Justice Department era policies of reduced sentences for first time offenders, non-violent offenders, and people detained with smaller amounts of narcotics.

This could spell big trouble for marijuana enthusiasts should the DOJ decide to start pursuing recreational marijuana states and those who consume in them.

The absurdity of bud tenders, dispensary owners, and the customers who frequent them being arrested and possibly facing maximum sentencing is almost unbelievable – until you take a closer look at the cohort of old-fashion and obtuse gang in the DOJ.

Labour

 

(Photo: AFP)

• Jeremy Corbyn has said he would be in favour of legalising cannabis for medicinal use.
• But the party's official policy is still to maintain its legal status, and legalisation is not in their 2017 manifesto.

Conservatives

 

The Prime Minister echoed earlier sentiments that the UK should be "pulling together" (Photo: 2017 Getty Images)

Weed, pot, skunk, grass and dope are just a few of the words taken from the vast dictionary of slang terminology used to describe a certain plant.

A plant that has been widely used as far back as ten thousand years, long before the war on drugs began. In the world of agriculture it is seen by many as a miracle crop, and was one of the very first plants to be cultivated by humans.

Throughout history it’s had countless applications in numerous industries such as clothing, textiles, fuel, cooking and medicine. Its natural healing qualities have been utilised for centuries in civilisations all over the world and its medicinal benefits have been recognised by many cultures and religions.

Since Nevada legalized recreational marijuana, anyone 21 and over can possess up to 1 ounce in-state. How many people actually could look at an ounce and identify it, though? We're here to help educate you. Jenny Kane/RGJ

Ian Johnston waters small seedlings of marijuana plants inside the Mother Room at Tweed in Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada, on December 5, 2016.(Photo: lars Hagberg, AFP/Getty Images file)

Nevada may not get recreational marijuana sales in July as promised. 

While cannabis-related police incidents continue to make the news in other parts of the country (ahem, Toronto), the Vancouver Police Department has ignored Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's call to continue arrests for possession despite plans for legalization.

Instead, the VPD has said it's prioritized the city's overdose crisis.

Released last week, the department's annual report for 2016 reveals a significant drop in cannabis-related offences, from 861 in 2015 to 660 in 2016.

That's a decline of 24.1 percent.

The Denver dispensary is called Medicine Man and was founded on serving medical marijuana patients. Yet, since Colorado legalized recreational marijuana sales three years ago, few of the store's patrons have been making medicinal purchases.

“There’s less need for medical inventory because we have less medical customers,” said Andy Williams, owner and CEO of Medicine Man, one of Colorado’s largest legal marijuana stores selling both recreational and medical marijuana. “People don’t want to go through the hurdles to get their cards anymore.”