A Denver-based credit union took on the Federal Reserve in court last week over the right to deal directly with the cannabis industry.

The Fourth Corner Credit Union of Denver has challenged a federal law forbidding financial institutions from doing business with the marijuana industry. Under federal law, such institutions found to be doing business with dispensaries that legally sell marijuana –which is still federally classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance– face prosecution and closure.

“We are asking for a level playing field, but they own the team and they own the field,”

When perusing our Marijuana archives, we made a simple yet profound discovery:

A lot of the cannabis-related posts we published in 2015 were, for want of a better word, weird.

And definitely worth sharing again.

Below, find excerpts five of the strangest pot stories from last year, complete with photos and links to the rest of the story. Enjoy.

John Lord once walked into a federal government building with $2 million in cash in his backpack to pay his taxes for the cannabis he sells. 

Due to federal laws, he couldn't get a bank account to bank his drug profits. It's different now. His customers still have to pay cash, but he can now transfer money to the Internal Revenue Service come tax time.

Lord is the chief executive of Livwell - the largest marijuana dealer in Colorado, one of a few states that have legalised cannabis.

He sells in excess of $80 million worth of product annually. He won't talk profit margins.  

It appears the legal pot industry in Colorado is still experiencing some growing pains surrounding its use of pesticides.

• Denver nonprofit Cannabis Can gave out 1,000 pre-rolled marijuana joints to the homeless on Christmas Eve
• The organization also passed out flyers and business cards with more information about Cannabis Can in hopes that people would donate
• The organization plans to use donations to buy several RVs to provide restrooms and showers for those in need
• The nonprofit organization's goal is to use marijuana for good and to bring people together through the drug to make a difference
• It is illegal to smoke marijuana in public in Denver, but it can be given as a gift and a person can carry up to one once at a time 

PUEBLO COUNTY -

If you live in an apartment or duplex, the limit is 12. For a single family dwelling, it's 18. And if your property is zoned for agriculture or industry you can grow a maximum of 36 marijuana plants in Pueblo County. Those are the new limits put in place by County Commissioners last year for anyone who chooses grows marijuana without going through the regulatory process of becoming a licensed commercial grower.

Like many commuters in Denver’s city core, Marty Otañez can’t assist but smell the pot smoke as he rides to work along the Cherry Creek bike course downtown.

“A couple years ago it was just under the bridge at Colfax and Speer,” Otañez stated of the clouds emanating from public tokers. “Now it’s practically every 100 meters.”

Increased pot smoke swirling around city streets and parks is among the most recognizable effects of Modification 64– which legislated the leisure use and sale of marijuana in Colorado– specifically since public consumption remains illegal.

Colorado credit union seeks federal approval to cater to marijuana businesses

In this Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 photograph, jars of different type of marijuana sit on counter during a sale at the Denver Kush Club in north Denver. A marijuana banking case set for arguments Monday will test the federal government's stated goal of addressing the cash-only nature of the quasi-legal pot industry. (David Zalubowski, Associated Press)

A federal judge said Monday he sympathizes with pot businesses faced with contradictory regulations, but he expressed misgivings about forcing federal officials to approve a marijuana credit union.