When a state legalizes cannabis, local municipal officials are put in a tough spot: they have the power to allow or prohibit cannabis stores from opening in their jurisdiction. It’s done through property zoning. Click the link in our bio to read results of an evidence based study detailing impact on teen use and property value trends in communities that have allowed dispensaries.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2IYcPaH

In today’s maturing cannabis market, where acquisitions, mergers, and partnerships are on the uptick, creating a memorable brand is essential for survival. Read more at the link in our bio for lessons from 20 top cannabis companies.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2ISnhR0

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard about the once-in-a-generation investment opportunity that is the legalized marijuana industry. According to Bank of America analyst Christopher Carey, the cannabis industry could one day offer peak annual sales potential of $166 billion, and disrupt industries that currently total $2.6 trillion in yearly sales. Considering that only two countries worldwide have OK’d recreational weed, and just over 40 have legalized medical marijuana, the ceiling for the pot industry is still a ways off.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2XYsBJ1

The cannabis industry wants a single set of rules, but entrepreneurs aren’t sure what those rules should be.

At Friday’s landmark cannabis review by the U.S. Food and Administration (FDA), CBD manufacturers joined with academics, consumer packaged goods manufacturers and agriculture officials to ask a panel of regulators to give the cannabis industry a uniform set of guidelines for producing, packaging and labeling cannabis extracts.

Link to story: https://cnb.cx/2HStVYk

With the clock ticking to adjournment, the Illinois Senate quickly passed a comprehensive measure to legalize recreational marijuana earlier today.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2WFu0qn

Companies that sell cannabis products—even those consisting of CBD derived from hemp, which was legalized in the U.S. through the Farm Bill late last year—are continuing to have trouble accessing basic financial services that are available to businesses in other sectors. That includes being able to maintain bank accounts and process their customers’ credit cards.

The latter problem could be solved under a new pilot program that has quietly been launched by the payment processing service Square.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2MoH6o2

Good progress as the California Senate voted almost unanimously to pass a bill that would allow banks and credit unions to accept cash deposits from cannabis retailers.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2EO0RiK

Wharton Business Radio host John Barkett sat down with a range of cannabis industry pioneers and players to discuss different aspects of doing business with cannabis today, including marketing, investing, overcoming challenges, and more.

Link to podcast: https://whr.tn/2JSJSzT

Maryland has legalized the sale of edible medical marijuana products, which likely will provide a substantial revenue boost to MMJ businesses and open new business opportunities for edibles manufacturers in the fast-growing market.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2WmiT6r

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday said he intends to reintroduce his bill to remove marijuana from the U.S. controlled substances list, a move that would permit states to regulate cannabis without fear of federal interference.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/2QE9kcV