The term “medical marijuana” could soon be scrubbed clean from state law and replaced instead with the phrase “medical cannabis.”

Lawmakers passed a bill this year that requires the state to make the change in state statutes, Hawaii Administrative Rules and in all state Department of Health documents, websites and medical marijuana program materials. The bill is awaiting approval by Gov. David Ige.

Supporters of Senate Bill 786, which was introduced by state Sen. Mike Gabbard, D-Oahu, say the word “cannabis” is most appropriate and accurate. Bill language says the word “marijuana” “carries prejudicial implications rooted in racial stereotypes” from the early 20th century, when the drug was first criminalized in the United States.

Twenty-nine states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico now allow medical cannabis, with eight states plus D.C. permitting legal use of recreational weed and Canada on track to do so next year. More publicly traded marijuana stocks are now available, which presents opportunities for investors.

However, there are challenges alongside those opportunities. Here's what you need to know about marijuana stocks before investing.

Some marijuana stocks have greater risk than others

Investing successfully hinges on managing risk effectively. Be aware that some marijuana stocks have significantly greater risk than others.

As a doctor at Tigard-based American Cannabinoid Clinics, Rachel Knox said her job is taking the guess work out of medical marijuana

“Patients have been using cannabis like throwing darts at the wall,” said Knox. “They hope it lands on that bull’s eye which is their medical condition, whether it's pain or cancer or anything in between.”

That notion was something digital marketing professional Rick Bakas  could relate to. His mother, a medical marijuana patient, has multiple sclerosis.

The Associated Press reports that NASCAR Monster Energy Cup driver Carl Long's team on Friday had to remove the hood logo for the Colorado-based Veedverks from Long's No. 66 Chevrolet.

A NASCAR spokesman said the logo and sponsorship by Veedverks had not been approved beforehand, which is standard procedure for the sanctioning body.

However, a spokesperson for the Denver-based Veedverks said in a Facebook post that NASCAR had approved the sponsorship.

The state of Nevada is poised to mandate the use blood tests and eliminate urine tests in DUI convictions for marijuana.

Although Washoe County already uses blood tests for pot, the state Senate this week gave the final vote of approval for the testing change for the entire state. Now, this measure only needs the final ‘John Hancock’ from Gov. Brian Sandoval to become law.

The final Senate vote floor vote comes less than two months before the July 1 starting date for sales of legal marijuana for “recreation” across Nevada for everyone 21 and over.

Iowans with certain chronic conditions will soon have better access to treatment from a form of medical marijuana.

Gov. Terry Branstad signed HF 524 into law Friday but noted concerns with the new law in doing so.

Iowa began allowing people with certain chronic conditions to use cannabis oil but that law did not allow for the production or sale of the oil. The new law allows the state to authorize up to two facilities to grow and produce cannabis oil to be sold in five state-approved dispensaries. The law also allows Iowa doctors to prescribe cannabis oil for a list of 15 chronic conditions.

However, in signing the bill, Branstad urged lawmakers to address potential issues with the new law during the next legislative session. Among those concerns:

States in the Northeast have been undergoing marijuana reform recently with ME and MA legalizing the plant for recreational use last November and states like Rhode Island in talks to legalize it through legislature.

The state Senate on Thursday passed an amended version of a House bill eliminating criminal penalties for possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less.

Across Maine, the knowledge that the sale of recreational marijuana will eventually be legal has many towns and cities bracing for the change.

It’s a daunting task for the local officials who are considering the potential effects of legalization, from the odors that could waft off of growing facilities, to the burden those facilities could place on water and electric systems, to the impaired drivers that could hit the road.

Top state lawmakers are trying to work out a system allowing Iowa residents to start buying medical marijuana oils and pills in Minnesota, a novel arrangement that could raise issues with the federal government.

Iowa could join more than two dozen states with medical marijuana programs under a bill awaiting Gov. Terry Branstad's signature. That legislation would expand a limited 2014 law, allowing more patients to buy the low-dose medication from in-state dispensaries by December 2018.

But in the meantime, Iowa residents could look to Minnesota. A provision of the bill specifically references that state as a potential source of medication and directs Iowa regulators to contract with Minnesota's two manufacturers of medical marijuana.

The long list of strange things you can buy from a vending machine already includes cupcakes, raw meat, wine, gold, and underwear. Up next: marijuana.