Even in states where it’s legal, selling cannabis and related products is sticky business — sticky icky icky. By closely adhering to state and local laws and keeping a low profile, however, entrepreneurs can greatly reduce the risk of losing their livelihood (and freedom, in cases of imprisonment) to the federal government, according to Asheville attorney and author Rod Kight. He’ll discuss his new book, Cannabis Business Law: What You Need to Know, at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Café on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 3 p.m.

Colorado has brought in more than $150 million in marijuana tax revenue, according to official state data.

That doesn't make it a budgetary panacea, warn lawmakers. 

"The big lesson we tell other states is you probably shouldn't legalize marijuana if you want to make money – that's not why you do it," said J. Skyler McKinley, deputy director of the governor's Office of Marijuana Coordination, to the Huffington Post. "You do it because you think that a regulated marketplace might be safer than an unregulated marketplace, or you believe that the war on drugs didn't work."

CORTEZ — Hemp being grown by Colorado State University in southwest Colorado is hidden in a crop of corn at a secret location, but Colorado farmers can ask for a tour of the 12 varieties being tested.

Growing hemp, a genetic cousin of marijuana, is still regulated by the federal government, mostly for research. The researchers have permission from the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

“We’re keeping a low profile to avoid any trouble, like vandalism or theft by youth mistaking it for marijuana,” said Abdel Berrada, senior researcher with CSU’s Southwest Ag Research Station.

Industrial hemp is used to make paper, oil, biodiesel, rope, clothing, soap, and as a substitute for plastic and other products.

Legal cannabis cannabis sales in Colorado and Washington have garnered their states a combined $200 million in tax revenue since January 1st, 2014, according to the most recent data released by each state.

In Colorado, recreational and medical cannabis sales have brought in nearly $120 million in taxes and fees for the state. In Washington, legal cannabis sales have resulted in over $80 million in taxes for the state. Combined, over $200 million in taxes have been earned between the two states.

Legal recreational sales began January 1st of last year in Colorado, and began six months later in Washington.

The Torrance County Commission and the county's planning and zoning director acted appropriately when they approved a marijuana greenhouse in the Loma Parda subdivision near Mountainair.

Findings of fact were presented to the Commission at its regular meeting on Aug. 26. The Commission accepted the findings 2-1 with Commissioner Julia DuCharme opposing its acceptance.

The findings were the final step in the appeal process on the decision Planning and Zoning Director Steve Guetschow made in approving the greenhouse for operation. Guetschow contended in June that the greenhouse was allowed under the county's zoning ordinance.

Denver city officials didn’t exactly embrace Amendment 64 before voters statewide — and heavily in Denver — approved recreational marijuana legalization in 2012.

But Mayor Michael Hancock and his administration is taking a new opportunity to exhibit pride in the city’s regulation of the retail cannabis industry.

Ashley Kilroy, Denver’s marijuana policy director. (Handout photo)

Authorities say 20 people in southern Colorado were part of an illegal marijuana syndicate that collected pot at 8 buildings– more than 1,000 plants– and shipped it to Florida via the United Parcel Service.

Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents and regional police officers have taken 28 weapons, more than $25,000 and 50 pounds of processed marijuana, according to court files filed Wednesday.

Search warrants were performed by U.S. Medication Enforcement agents and regional constable’s offices in Custer and Freemont counties near the towns of Cotopaxi and Westcliffe.

Twenty individuals have actually been charged and 17 remain in custody, according to a U.S. Lawyer’s Office, District of Colorado, media release.

Arranged for 1pm EDT; Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Binder to Discuss its Business Design, its Colorado Plan with its Licensing Partner and Strategic Vision

STONE, Colo., Sept. 3, 2015/ Weed Wire/– CLS Holdings UNITED STATE, Inc. (CLSH), a diversified marijuana business, will certainly be presenting on the Marijuana Investor Webcast (http://cannawebcast.com) on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 1:00 pm EDT.

The Denver Elections Department on Thursday certified the Nov. 3 city/county tally, however missing will be a hot-button voter initiative that would have expanded the city’s cannabis usage rules to permit toking up at some bars and other businesses.

As The Denver Post reported late Wednesday, sponsors of that initiative chose to withdraw it. Instead they will deal with city and business leaders to negotiate a compromise step, reserving the right to launch a brand-new ballot initiative next year if they’re not pleased with the outcome.

COTOPAXI, Colo. -

The US Department of Justice says that a federal drug raid on eight properties in Cotopaxi and Westcliffe netted more than 1,000 marijuana plants and 20 indictments.

Six of the raided properties had Cotopaxi addresses in Fremont County, and two had Westcliffe addresses in Custer County.

An affidavit obtained by KRDO NewsChannel 13 says the raid was part of an ongoing investigation by the Colorado Springs Office of the Drug Enforcement Agency that began last year.

Eight search warrants that were obtained as part of that investigation were executed on September 1, 2015.

The execution of those warrants resulted in the recovery of 1,002 marijuana plants, 50 pounds of dried marijuana, 28 firearms and over $25,000 cash.