House prices and rentals are skyrocketing in the mile high city and it’s all thanks to a law that made it possible for businesses to grow and sell marijuana and for residents to smoke as much as they like, wherever they like.

Five years after the US state of Colorado made pot legal, its biggest city is thriving. Thousands are moving from major cities for the lifestyle, buying up properties and buying pot.

Once unoccupied, derelict industrial buildings are filled to the brim with cannabis plants. Crime rates are down, tax revenue has ballooned and tourism is bigger than ever.

The Australian Medical Association says more research needs to be carried out before medicinal cannabis is offered to the public.

The NSW Government has already started the hunt for sites to grow the herb in NSW to support a pharmaceutical supply if clinical trials are successful.

MEDICAL cannabis detractors need to remember the value of the poppy plant to modern medicine.

Toowoomba doctor Jeanne-Marie van der Westhuizen has spent more than 25 years of her professional life working in emergency medicine and drug addiction fields around the world.

She has added her voice in calling for a measured approach to introducing medical cannabis trials in Australia which would bring it in line with other developed nations in which components of the cannabis plant have been used to aid the sick.

Medicinal marijuana is a contentious issue that has been brought to the fore in recent months through repeated features on current affairs shows that help people to understand its benefits to some of those who are suffering terrible illnesses.  The use of cannabis as a therapeutic medicine is no small issue for over 60s either, with many knowing someone who has used the herb or oil as a treatment for enormous discomfort in the later stages of cancer, and in other horrific diseases.
 

So it is welcomed news that the Federal Government has this week spoken out to the cries from some state governments that they need a national scheme for marijuana cultivation and a licensing program in place.
 

The Turnbull Government will seek parliamentary support to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes in Australia to deliver patients access to a safe, legal and sustainable supply of locally-produced products for the first-time.

The Turnbull Government will seek parliamentary support to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or scientific purposes in Australia to deliver patients access to a safe, legal and sustainable supply of locally-produced products for the first-time. 

AusCann has switched its focus from Norfolk to Christmas Island as it forges ahead with plans to grow and export medicinal cannabis crops.

An Australian company is now eyeing Christmas Island as a hub to grow and export medicinal cannabis.

AusCann is excited about federal government plans to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes.

It wants to become the first Australian company involved in the commercial production of medicinal cannabis for export to Europe and elsewhere.

The company initially wanted to grow its crops on Norfolk Island.

But the end of self-governance in the offshore territory, among other frustrations, has seen the company switch its focus to Christmas Island.

Growing cannabis for medicinal and scientific purposes came a step closer to legislation in Australia, as ministers announced planned changes in legislature.

Health Minister Sussan Ley said in a statement Saturday that the parliament will debate a revision to the current law to provide for alternative treatment for those with debilitating illnesses, VICE News reports.

The announcement follows the move by the state of Victoria to create a legal framework around medical cannabis, and statewide sales are set to begin before 2017. Access will be given to children suffering severe epilepsy.

A MOVE by the Liberal National Coalition Government to allow for the cultivation of medicinal marijuana has been hailed as a compassionate and sensible one by Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen.

Mr Christensen said it was a cause he had personally been championing for some time, and he welcomed the potential for job creation in the region.

"There is plenty of evidence to support the use of medicinal marijuana. It's a natural product which can provide very effective relief for those suffering from a range of debilitating illnesses," Mr Christensen said.

"Our region also has a lot to gain through the introduction of a new crop that could boost our economy.

The government announced on Saturday it would seek parliamentary support to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis to deliver patients access to “a safe, legal and sustainable supply of ­locally produced products for the first time”.

The production of the drug is likely to mirror the way poppies are cultivated in Tasmania for manufacture of opiates.

It’s this model that has Trinity Beach resident and long-time cannabis supporter Debbi Cliff concerned.

Medicinal marijuana products are shown at the 250-member Pinoleville Pomo Nation in Ukiah, California January 23, 2015. An initial 10,000-square-foot state-of-the art greenhouse is scheduled to be erected within weeks on the land, in a joint marijuana production and processing venture with FoxBarry Farms of Kansas and the United Cannabis Corporation of Colorado. It's widely believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. The pioneering venture could signal a major wave of new marijuana operations across the nation to bring green to tribal bank accounts.