Florida loves Publix, the supermarket chain routinely ranked the most valuable and beloved company in the whole state thanks in no small part to its fantastically salty sub sandwiches. So it's sure to jar a few hard-core Publix fans to learn that the family that founded the chain just donated $800,000 to a conservative-led campaign fighting medical marijuana legalization.

Nearly 30 cannabis companies and 200 eager guests gathered over the weekend at the Venue at Three Petals in Huntington Beach for Culinary and Cannabis—OC’s first marijuana-infused food and wine event. The concept was to showcase that it’s possible to use cannabis in gourmet meals without lessening the integrity of the food. But it also extended to more than just solid foods. There were vendors handing out cannabis beverages including CBD wine and effervescent mineral CBD water. Vendors sold eggless, pre-made medicated cookie dough, offered sign-up forms for marijuana subscription boxes, and handed out samples of cannabis infused topical products. 

The Sunshine State has finally warmed up to the idea of medical marijuana.

As someone who lived in the state of Florida for almost half of his entire life, I can tell you from personal experience that the fight against marijuana prohibition has been long-fought and met with serious opposition. But, this week, the Sunshine State will finally take the leap towards legalizing medicinal use of cannabis. On Tuesday, Trulieve, one of the six Florida medical cannabis licensees thus far, will officially open the first-ever dispensary in the state, marking a major moment in the state’s fight to medicinally legalize the use of marijuana.

Why growth of CBD is likely to outpace the more glamorous segment of the country’s fastest growing industry.

The legal marijuana industry is the fastest growing industry in America. So say the headlines. It’s being called America’s billion dollar crop. (Actually, the US market is predicted to swell to over 7 billion in 2016.)

Less than two weeks after Los Angeles County supervisors agreed to move forward with a 10 percent tax on cannabis businesses in order to fund homeless services, the proposal’s author wants to shelve the plan.

Late last week Supervisor Shiela Kuehl moved to pull the measure from November ballots, explaining that there had been “a good deal of ambivalence” about the tax from social service providers. Drumming up enough support for the proposal — which would require a two-thirds supermajority among voters — would be a long shot, Keuhl said.

Everyone wants to work in the legal cannabis industry - and, according to the latest numbers from the Marijuana Business Daily, and increasing number of people are living the dream.

It's estimated that cannabis-related companies now employ 100,000 to 150,000 part and full-time workers nationwide in dispensaries, cultivation facilities, concentrates companies, testing labs and other, ancillary firms. To arrive at that figure, Marijuana Business Daily looked at the number of registered marijuana businesses, and and the average number of employees in each type of business.

Don't hold your breath in hope of hearing presidential nominee Hillary Clinton or her vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine discuss marijuana at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week. Clinton is, at best, a tepid supporter of marijuana reform while Kaine opposes legalization. But cannabis will be represented at the DNC by a number of pro-legalization celebrities who are showing up to support (or protest) the event.

Here are six famous advocates to look for.

The legal weed industry is dominated by men.

Consumers are reaching for cannabis nearly as often as they are for a can of beer, a new report has found.

The typical male customer spends about $647 annually on marijuana products, while female consumers drop about $634 each year on weed, MarketWatch reported. That’s compared to an average of $645 a year on alcohol and $1,000 a year on coffee, according to a survey from Headset, which tracks weed transactions.

As cannabis goes mainstream, one expert says it’s time to leave antiquated terms behind.

The commonly used terms ‘indica’ and ‘sativa’ are outdated, inaccurate, and holding us back from the power of the plant, says one expert. Cannabis is complex and deserves a more accurate classification system to help adult users and patients find the best bud to meet their needs. 

“These terms are holding us back and we have a responsibility to change,” says David Drake, CEO of Cannabis Reports. Cannabis Reports provides consumers, scientists, and companies with strain information that goes far beyond ‘indica’ and ‘sativa’. 

Supporters of former US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders held a giant inflatable joint and called for the legalization of marijuana during a rally in Philadelphia.

Two large “joints” passed through downtown Philadelphia Monday as marijuana advocates marched toward the Democratic National Convention’s headquarters to call for the full legalization of the leafy drug.