Amazon is developing a marijuana-themed family dramedy, starring Margaret Cho, Variety has learned.

Titled “Highland,” the hourlong project in contention at Amazon Prime follows Margaret Cho, who after court-ordered rehab gets a chance to start over, but has to move in with her dysfunctional family who now runs a pot dispensary.

Co-produced by Tomorrow Studios and Amazon Studios, “Highland” hails from writer Liz Sarnoff (“Deadwood,” “Lost,” “Alcatraz”).

Don’t light up and drive near Christiania

Last year record numbers of drivers were convicted of driving around under the influence of narcotic substances.

The number of drivers caught using narcotics like marijuana and cocaine while operating a motor vehicle has exploded from five in 2011 to 3,281 last year, according to a report from the national police, Rigspolitiet.

During the same period of time, the number of people being convicted for drink driving decreased from 9,818 to 7,611.

New detection methods
In 2011, police started using a new narco-meter that uses saliva to test whether a driver is under the influence of drugs.

Now it's possible to tote your smoke in style (and discreetly).

More and more states are legalizing marijuana, making it less stigmatized in recent years — and companies are responding by coming up with innovative ways for people to enjoy it. The latest isAnnaBis (pronounced "anna-bee"), a fashion brand specializing in stylish bags for your stash.

Illinois medical marijuana patients will soon have a line of decadent chef-crafted products to choose from with the announcement of James Beard Award-Winning Chef Mindy Segal's new edible line. Segal, owner of Chicago'sacclaimed Hot Chocolate Restaurant, is the first high profile, award-winning celebrity chef to attach her personal brand to products in the cannabis industry.

When Marijuana Legalization Initiative 71 runs out on Jan. 15, D.C. residents may gain the right to smoke in public places. However, a proposed bill could keep cannabis smoking restricted to private use as mandated under Initiative 71.

The measure would only extend the Decriminalization Bill, approved March 4, 2014, which reduces the maximum penalty for possession of an ounce of marijuana from six months in prison and a $1,000 fine to just a $25 fine for possession and a $100 fine for public use, with no jail time.

The D.C. Council Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Dec. 10 for the public to testify in opposition or in favor of the proposed bill, B21-0107. Of the 24 public witnesses, all testified in opposition of the new bill.  

Three days before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government delivered its Throne speech - and with it the first formal indication of the Liberals intention to legalize marijuana for recreational use - the Mounties were busting down the doors of three pot shops in Nanaimo, B.C.

RCMP Supt. Mark Fisher said the force was "compelled" to raid the shops after a grandmother complained about her 15-year-old granddaughter allegedly buying weed from an illegal storefront.

One of the stores remains defiant, denying the allegations and reopening the following day.

Trees spokesman Alex Robb said the raids "fly in the face of public opinion, and the stance of our newly elected federal government."

It was only a matter of time: Wall Street heavyweight Merrill Lynch, the wealth management division of Bank of America, has apparently already started thinking about its role in the marijuana industry.

A 45-page equity report leaked to Philly Inquirer columnist Chris Goldstein suggests that Merrill Lynch is paying close attention to the budding industry. The company says that it's particularly "bullish on the cannabis testing market."

Will Kentucky become the next Colorado or Washington and gather millions of dollars in sales for legalizing marijuana? Colorado and Washington have found success with legalizing marijuana for recreational use, and now it appears that Kentucky is following their lead.

WHAS 11 was one of the first to report the breaking news story on December 11, and they state that “Kentucky Senator Perry B. Clark (D-Louisville) pre-filed an act that would legalize and regulate cannabis in a similar way the Bluegrass State handles alcohol.”

MEXICO CITY – The Mexican government on Friday granted the first permits allowing the cultivation and possession of marijuana for personal use.

The federal medical protection agency said the permits apply only to the four plaintiffs who won a favourable ruling from the Supreme Court last month. The court said growing and consuming marijuana is covered under the right of “free development of personality.”

he permits issued Friday won’t allow smoking marijuana in the presence of children or anyone who hasn’t given consent. The permits also don’t allow the sale or distribution of the drug.

One month after the government announced it would legalize by decree the medical use of marijuana in Colombia, senators approved a similar proposal in a plenary session on Friday.

The legislation will be debated in the Chamber of Representatives next year before it may become law.

According to the bill, the ministries of Justice, Health and Agriculture, gathered in the Council on Narcotics, will take charge of allocating licenses to marijuana cultivators.

Liberal Senator Juan Manuel Galan, who introduced the bill, argued that the measure will help millions of people who suffer from pain, multiple sclerosis, AIDS or cancer.