The legalization of medical marijuana in 33 U.S. states has paved the way to the growing popularity of cannabis and the products derived from it, such as cannabidiol. Also known as CBD, this cannabis-derived substance has received praises by researchers and doctors for its growing list of health and wellness benefits. Because of CBD's increasing popularity, industry analysts predict it’s on its way to becoming a $22-billion market by 2022.

But even though CBD receives high praises for its incredible medical properties, users must still take note of its side effects. Like any substance used as a medicine, cannabidiol can cause harm to users, especially those who use it without the prescription and supervision of a doctor.

Members of the House and Senate have approved versions of House Bill 364, which allows qualified patients the option to grow marijuana at home. The Governor has not publicly commented on the bill, but has previously spoken out against broader legalization efforts.

In January this year, California introduced Assembly Bill 228 under which food, beverage, and cosmetic products with hemp extracts or derivatives are no longer considered adulterated by these ingredients, and will not be subject to sales restrictions or prohibitions based on the presence of hemp.

Three California committees – Assembly Business and Professions Committee, Assembly Health Committee and Appropriations Committee – all passed the bill unanimously. The most recent bill passing by the Appropriations Committee occurred last week. Once the California Assembly passes the bill and it gets signed into law by the Governor, CBD products will be legal to sell in the State of California.

Commissioners in Clark County, Nevada have passed a resolution allocating almost $1.8 million from the local commercial cannabis industry to help subsidize programs dedicated to providing assistance to the homeless.

A little more than $930,000 of the earmarked money will be provided to HELP of Southern Nevada’s rehousing services “for medically fragile, non-chronically homeless households after leaving local hospitals,” according to KTNV in Las Vegas. The station reported that a little more than $855,000 will be given to HELP “to assist the program costs” associated with a homeless youth center.

Earlier this week the NFL and the NFL Players Association announced they would be implementing two new medical committees—one of which will explore the use of cannabis to help players manage pain, writes Calvin Hughes.

When cannabis was legalized in Oregon, many people saw business opportunity. But Amy Margolis saw something more specific: She saw business opportunities for women. 

Major political disputes often create unpredictable ripples in the world of cannabis. Sometimes, these waves are small and kitschy. When President Donald Trump caused a government shutdown because legislators wouldn’t fund his border wall, that meant government workers were left without pay or medical services. So one company stepped in to provide those employees with free medical marijuana.

Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee has signed legislation, Senate Bill 5605, facilitating the expungement of past low-level marijuana convictions.

Qualified patients now have limited access to medical cannabis products, after the state’s first licensed dispensaries began making sales this week. Voters initially approved medical cannabis access by passing a statewide initiative in November 2016.

Even with the state allowing the minimum number of license for growers of medical marijuana, early supply could outstrip demand, according to University of Missouri economists.

A study by the economists estimates that there will be 19,000 people in Missouri qualified to purchase medical marijuana in 2020. That would require 5,000 to 7,000 pounds of canaibis — an amount that could be produced by between 10 and 14 cultivators. Those number would increase to roughly 26,000 patients and demand for between 24 and 29 cultivators in 2022.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has said it will issue 60 licenses for cultivators.