In the early part of the 20th century, marijuana was typically portrayed as a gateway drug that would get you hooked and ruin your life. Many people may recall the early smear campaigns that turned the public eye against cannabis for years, or the television ads comparing brains on drugs to fried eggs and marijuana users to lifeless skin bags on sofas. Now, research has started to catch up and recognize the medical benefits of marijuana such as relief for epilepsy. With these realizations, individual states have slowly begun to decriminalize and legalize it for medical and recreational use. Marijuana has started to positively change the industry landscape and other realms throughout the country.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Oregon, Alaska and Washington would soon follow in 1998. Thousands of individuals and families affected by severe medical conditions such as epileptic seizures and severe insomnia flocked to these states for a chance at the relief medical marijuana could provide them. Not so long ago, we saw the first states legalize marijuana for recreational use. No doubt, years of studies defining the positive effects of marijuana, as well as campaigns promoting it, began to find footholds within state legislation. Cannabidiol-based, or CBD, products, for example, may be able to relieve anxiety, stress, arthritis and a variety of other painful conditions without the “high” effects that THC produces. In 2012, Colorado…

In the early part of the 20th century, marijuana was typically portrayed as a gateway drug that would get you hooked and ruin your life. Many people may recall the early smear campaigns that turned the public eye against cannabis for years, or the television ads comparing brains on drugs to fried eggs and marijuana users to lifeless skin bags on sofas. Now, research has started to catch up and recognize the medical benefits of marijuana such as relief for epilepsy. With these realizations, individual states have slowly begun to decriminalize and legalize it for medical and recreational use. Marijuana has started to positively change the industry landscape and other realms throughout the country.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Oregon, Alaska and Washington would soon follow in 1998. Thousands of individuals and families affected by severe medical conditions such as epileptic seizures and severe insomnia flocked to these states for a chance at the relief medical marijuana could provide them. Not so long ago, we saw the first states legalize marijuana for recreational use. No doubt, years of studies defining the positive effects of marijuana, as well as campaigns promoting it, began to find footholds within state legislation. Cannabidiol-based, or CBD, products, for example, may be able to relieve anxiety, stress, arthritis and a variety of other painful conditions without the “high” effects that THC produces. In 2012, Colorado…