The cannabis industry is experiencing extreme growth. There is no better example of this than a recent press release from The State of Colorado stating that they are now receiving more tax dollars from marijuana than alcohol. Try wrapping your brain around that!

Aside from this growth, the cannabis industry is still in its infancy. Due to regulations and federal laws, operating a business in this industry is anything but easy. A common problem that affects all businesses in the industry is paying employees. Yes, you heard it right! Paying employees in this industry is extremely difficult and dangerous. So difficult and dangerous, that I decided to built a business to fix this exact issue.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, Sept. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Tweed Farms Inc. (Tweed Farms), wholly owned subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX.V: CGC) (Canopy Growth), has received Health Canada approval to commence cannabis cultivation in all 350,000 sq. ft. of the facility's growing space, a ten-fold increase from the previously licensed area.

Oregon Legislature Clears The Way For Recreational Cannabis Users.

Portland, Ore., Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to the Oregon Legislature headed by its recently installed Governor Kate Brown, starting October 1, 2015, cannabis dispensaries will begin selling cannabis products, including select grade flower, into the Oregon adult recreational-use market.

"Like most people in our State, Chalice Farms, LLC supports the Oregon Legislature's decision to allow licensed medical dispensaries to serve adult recreational clients before OLCC licensing begins," said Chalice Farms Founder and President, William E. Simpson III.

FLANDREAU, S.D. — The small South Dakota Indian tribe known as the Flandreau Santee Sioux already has a successful casino, a 120-room hotel and a 240-head buffalo ranch.

Now it’s undertaking a new venture — opening the nation’s first marijuana resort on its reservation. The experiment could offer a new money-making model for tribes nationwide seeking economic opportunities beyond casinos.

Santee Sioux leaders plan to grow their own pot and sell it in a smoking lounge that includes a nightclub, arcade games, bar and food service, and eventually, slot machines and an outdoor music venue.

Tribal President Anthony Reider envisions the resort as “an adult playground.”

Detroit — An October public hearing is set to gain public feedback on a propose ordinance aimed at regulating where and how medical marijuana centers can operate in Detroit.

The law, crafted by Councilman James Tate, was formally introduced Tuesday at the council’s formal session. The ordinance seeks to limit hours, impose inspection and licensing requirements and a ban on drive-thru windows, among other regulations. The proposal also calls for an amendment to the city’s zoning code to specify where the medical marijuana centers can locate. The council scheduled a public hearing on the plan for Oct. 12.

Edit: This story was written last holiday season:

That’s not mistletoe.

From new marijuana strains for the holidays to gift sets and pot-and-pumpkin pies, the burgeoning marijuana industry in Colorado is scrambling to get a piece of the holiday shopping dollar. Dispensaries in many states have been offering holiday specials for medical customers for years — but this first season of open-to-all-adults marijuana sales in some states means pot shops are using more of the tricks used by traditional retailers to attract holiday shoppers.

Here’s a look at how the new recreational marijuana industry is trying to attract holiday shoppers:

Medical marijuana dispensaries in Northern California are giving patients affected by a hugely destructive wildfire up to $200 in free cannabis per patient for the next week.

The companies produce cannabis oil, sprays and vaporizing cartridges, among other products.Through Oct. 7, two marijuana-related product companies, Care By Design and AbsoluteXtracts, are offering free products at five dispensaries in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Lake County, the companies said in a joint statement.

Unique funding strategy makes it unbelievably simple to have these sophisticated marijuana potency testing systems– portable units that require no chemical additives, provide immediate outcomes, and can be utilized by virtually any individual within minutes of opening the box.

BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 28, 2015/ Weed Wire/– Sage Analytics (www.sageanalytics.com), the designers of a brand-new generation of portable, laboratory-quality marijuana potency measurement systems, revealed today that the company has special financing in location on the new Luminary ™ Beacon and Luminary ™ Profiler.

Although the cannabis industry is expanding, the large bulk of cannabis-related companies are still small companies employing anywhere from a handful of workers to a couple lots.

So hiring– and retaining– the best staff members is absolutely critical. Each employee plays a hugely important function in the success of the business, unlike at huge companies where workers who aren’t an excellent fit can get by.

With that as the background, Marijuana Business Daily spoke with 3 staffing professionals that deal with the marijuana industry to obtain some tips on the best ways to work with and keep fantastic workers.

Do not Await Talent to Come to You

The legal marijuana industry bears one major likeness to the black market: It’s an all-cash business.

Even in the four states that have legalized marijuana, banks generally have refused to open accounts for store owners, growers and owners of ancillary enterprises. Without a gateway into the banking system, owners of legal-marijuana businesses cannot write checks, access online banking tools or directly deposit paychecks. They must pay employees, suppliers and even the tax man the old-fashioned way – with currency.