Nashvillian Scott Denholm is executive director of Metrc, a tech business that tracks every cannabis plant in Colorado from seed to sale. With more states considering legalization, the growth opportunities are vast.

For years, Nashvillian Scott Denholm has tracked the travel and sale of fruits and vegetables, packages of pharmaceuticals, even the parts of race cars. Now he is focused on tracking a plant that has captured the attention of millions of Americans: cannabis.

Between 2012 and 2050 the United States will experience a considerable increase in its older population, with aging baby boomers largely contributing to that growth. American’s graying population has wide-ranging implications for the legal cannabis industry, which grew from $1.5 billion in 2013 to $2.7 billion in 2014.

PHOENIX — Arizonans could get to decide next year if they want to follow the lead of Colorado and Washington and let any adult buy and use marijuana.

An initiative drive launched Friday would treat marijuana like alcohol, which includes creating a state regulatory agency with its own police powers and a 15 percent tax.

The money would pay for the oversight and, according to backers, potentially raise between $60 million and $100 million, mostly for education, but with some for health care.

But they first have to get the issue on the 2016 ballot. That means gathering 150,642 valid signatures by July 7, 2016.

There was a time when the term 4/20 drew either blank stares or giggles. The term, which refers to marijuana, has become more mainstream in recent years and April 20, once considered a counterculture holiday, is actually trending on Twitter. The reality is that marijuana doesn’t have the same taboo as it did before. That’s largely thanks to legalization.

DENVER (TheBlaze/AP) — Denver police said there were no major problems as marijuana celebrations continued for a second day on Sunday, but police tweeted a reminder that while recreational use of marijuana is legal in Colorado, people still can’t use it in public.

We’d prefer not to be buzzkills this 4/20 weekend. #ConsumeResponsibly, and designate a sober driver now. #Denver

— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) April 19, 2015

Minnesota Medical Solutions (MinnMed) has closed on $16.6 million in capital as it prepares to open medical marijuana dispensaries this summer.

The Edina-based startup is one of two licensed medical marijuana growers in the state. MinnMed raised the funding from individual investors, most of whom live in Minnesota, said CEO Dr. Kyle Kingsley.

The 20-employee business was able to raise capital quickly, he added.

"There was pretty dramatic support," Kingsley said.

Today is April 20, aka 4/20, the semi-official annual holiday for the marijuana industry and pot-enthusiasts around the world.

People flock to public celebrations across the country that, in some cases, attract crowds of thousands. Pot-related businesses also show off their products.

For patients who need a medical marijuana card, they have to book an appointment with a clinic and see a doctor to get that green card. New startup HelloMD wants to take that process and move it entirely online.

Launching four weeks ago and currently available only in California, HelloMD has plans to expand to 23 states where medical marijuana is legal, including Washington.

Where the 2016 presidential candidates stand on marijuana

It’s April 20th or 4/20, a day when marijuana enthusiasts gather, legally or otherwise, to celebrate the joys of smoking pot — a sort of stoner Fourth of July.

Last year, President Barack Obama gave weed activists a boost when he said he considers marijuana no more dangerous than alcohol.

Are marijuana labels the latest celebrity-owned wine or liquor brand? Maybe not, but at least one legend is getting into the game that Snoop Dogg is part of. Willie Nelson announced on April 20 (a celebratory day for stoners everywhere) that he’s launching Willie’s Reserve, a high-quality brand of marijuana, grown in Washington and Colorado.