With California poised to legalize recreational marijuana through Proposition 64 in November, California’s existing marijuana cultivators in Mendocino County are looking to protect their highest quality buds by applying for wine-style appellations.

The  Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that Justin Calvino, a “onetime Haight-Ashbury dope dealer,” is attempting to organize a formal designation, “Cannabis County,” for a specific geographically-defined region known to produce the state’s best crop.

The hope is to protect Mendocino farmers through “a legally defined and protected geographical identification system similar to what’s used in the wine industry.”

Following various theories presented as to the true reason behind Jamaica's dominance in the sprint races, some little-known Kenyan researchers claim to have discovered what has long baffled many in both the academic and sports world.

After little research and a lot of speculation Prof. Wak Manyang' and Dr. Emalek Kiso have attributed marijuana as the reason why Jamaicans are so fast.

In a research paper titled 'Weed for Speed; The case for legalising Cannabis Sativa' the researchers claim that copying Jamaican habits such as their dance styles or even wearing Jamaican flag themed bracelets or bandanas will not help Kenya produce sprinters. Rather, the researchers argue, Kenyans must be allowed to grow, sell and liberally consume marijuana for sports reasons.

The Malawi Government (GoM) uses what is called the drug scheduling system to declassify and classify drugs in the country.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Act of the Laws of Malawi, there are three schedules of controlled substances known as Parts which weigh a drug’s medical value and its abuse potential.

The GoM considers cannabis, raw and prepared, to have a potential for abuse and no medical value. The growing, possession and usage of cannabis is illegal in the country.

In this feature the author was examining the use of Cannabis amongst young people in Malawi.

Cannabis is famously known as “chamba” in the native language, Chewa.

From weed-infused spa parties to the Marijuana Mansion, ultra lux pot parties are on the rise as the nation slowly shifts towards cannabis reform and acceptance.

On August 27, a select group of cannabis consumers bring a whole new meaning to the concept of the Farmer's Market, with world-class artisanal and small batch marijuana sun-grown in Northern California on display at the Emerald Exchange at The Sanctuary in Malibu, CA.

Legalizing recreational marijuana in California could create a $6.46-billion market for legal use of the drug by 2020, according to a new report.

The projection, from the Arcview Market Research, comes in advance of a November vote on legalization in the state. Legal marijuana sales would be expected to hit $1.6 in the first year of legalization.

When various forms of cannabis decriminalization and legalization take hold in major nations like Canada and the United States, smaller countries become less fearful about stepping out from behind the cannabis reform shadows.

Now, reports out of Thailand show various government organizations looking into decriminalizing cannabis.

It appears recreational marijuana will be on the ballot in Arizona come November.

When it comes to declassifying the illegal status of a drug, there's a lot to consider. Proposition 205 reflects that, answering some questions but leaving others to be determined.

If you don't want to read the entire initiative (or our story from earlier this week breaking it down), here are five key points from Prop 205:

1. Only in private

Language from supporters of the initiative often includes "like alcohol." You can't drink a beer on the street and you would not be able to smoke marijuana on the street, either. It would result in a $300 fine.

This week, Nathan Martinez’s family will head to the Oregon state fair to view the prize-winning plants he’s hydroponically grown and lovingly cultivated: both the sativa super sour diesel and the indica granddaddy purple.

That’s right: one of the nation’s most family-friendly traditions – synonymous with the tilt-a-whirl, funnel cake and blue ribbon pigs – will feature marijuana plants.

“Cannabis is taking its rightful place next to tomatoes and other agriculture,” said Don Morse, with the Oregon Cannabis Business Council, noting that it’s the first time pot plants have been displayed at a state fair.

Over 30 people were hospitalized in New York City last month after smoking some fake marijuana that had them acting more like “zombies.” In fact, an eyewitness described the incident as “a scene out of ‘The Walking Dead.’”

They had overdosed on what is called synthetic marijuana, which is known to cause users to act erratically, experience respiratory problems and even collapse on the street.