Efforts at legalizing recreational marijuana use and cultivation in Vermont went up in smoke Tuesday as the House defeated proposals put forth by Democratic and Progressive lawmakers.

In a marathon session that began in the morning and lasted until nearly 6 p.m., House members considered a range of proposals for legalizing and decriminalizing pot.

The cannabis legalisation storm is sweeping the world, and Australia’s late Greens MP John Kaye was a knight in shining armour as he was trying his level best to decriminalise medical marijuana based on his own experience. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with cancer and died at the age of 60 on Monday. He was a man of “enormous principle, energy and commitment.” He was a personal user of medicinal cannabis, and according to him, he benefitted greatly from it. Hence, he was hell-bent in legalising cannabis in Australia.

Plus Legalization Efforts Ramp Up Nationwide, and More Rappers Criticize Uncle Ike's.

Excitement is growing as the Drug Enforcement Administration decides whether or not to reschedule cannabis, which it's expected to do in the next few months. But as Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Irvine's School of Law, explains in a recent op-ed in the Washington Post, federal rescheduling won't end prohibition. That's because it won't change state drug laws.

Cannabis may join the herb and spice rack in California kitchens as the most populous U.S. state prepares for the possible legalization of recreational marijuana in November.

Chef Chris Sayegh is leading the way by taking haute cuisine to a higher place with his cannabis-infused menus in private homes for as much as $500 a head, or in "pop-up" banquets around Los Angeles for $20 to $200 a person. For now, diners must show their medical marijuana cards.

1-800-Flowers CEO Jim McCann says that despite the company’s efforts to utilize domestic flower growers, the growers in certain states are considering growing marijuana as a potentially more profitable option.

“We have been pushing for domestic production of flowers hard for the last 10 years and having real good success,” McCann told the FOX Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo.

But McCann noted that many flower growers are now tempted by the huge potential revenue boost from growing cannabis instead.

New polling data shows that just over half of Ontario voters now prefer a pharmacy or dispensary distribution system for recreational marijuana over the LCBO. This shows a decline in support for both dispensaries and the LCBO. Opposition to the LCBO at 54% opposed is higher than both dispensaries (34%) and pharmacies (40%).

Support for legalized marijuana remains high in Ontario, a new poll released by Forum Research finds.

The poll, which surveyed 1157 Ontario voters, found that nearly 60 per cent are in favour of legalizing pot in the country, a number which has remained steady over the past few months, Forum says.

Only 36 per cent of respondents said they do not approve of legalization and seven per cent claim to have no opinion on the subject.

“These findings confirm not only the steadfastness of support for legal weed, but also validate our polling, in that findings have not statistically varied in the four months between these two waves of tracking," said Lorne Bozinoff , president of Forum Research.

From giant inflatable joints to passed out revellers and even a stoned world chess championship: Inside Mardi Grass - the bizarre festival where Australia protests against cannabis laws

• Thousands attended the annual Mardi Grass festival in Nimbin, northern New South Wales on Saturday
• The popular festival attended by people from across Australia is a cannabis law reform protest and gathering
• The festival included the Global Marijuana March and a banner advertised the 'Stoned World Chess Championship'

Thousands of people have descended upon a small town for an event known as Mardi Grass, and they have a higher purpose than simply attending the three-day event.

To celebrate the fifth annual Star Wars Day (May the Fourth Be With You), here are six Star Wars strains that we'd like to see. If you're into genetics, feel free to get working on breeding these buds (as long as you promise to share them with us).

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says his administration has not discussed decriminalising marijuana even as his Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi is quoted as saying that it is reviewing existing legislation as well as planning wide consultation before adopting any position.

Rowley, speaking to reporters before his departure for the United States, said that he would be very surprised if the attorney general spoke to the decriminalisation of small amounts of marijuana when the matter was not discussed by Cabinet.

He said his Government has been in office for just over seven months and has spent no time at all examining the decriminalisation of marijuana.