Research scientists, led by Dr Henry Lowe, say they have discovered properties in Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the major bioactive compounds in the cannabis (ganja) plant, that have the potential to provide affordable treatment as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals for hepatitis C.

Information on the new discovery can be found in the latest issue (January - March 2017) of Pharmacognosy Research, a publication of Pharmacognosy Network Worldwide, making it subject to peer review.

The marijuana industry is scorching hot right now, and it's no wonder that investors are seemingly champing at the bit to get their hands on a company, or series of companies, with strong double-digit growth potential.

According to cannabis research firm ArcView, the legal marijuana market could grow by roughly 30% per year through the end of the decade. Investment firm Cowen & Co. shares a somewhat similar sentiment, forecasting growth from $6 billion in legal pot sales in 2016 to $50 billion by 2026. That's good for a compound annual growth rate of better than 23%. You'd struggle as an investor to find an industry that could consistently grow its sales for an average of 23%+plus each year for a decade.

The tide is shifting on cannabis

The UK has the potential to become a world leader in drugs derived from the cannabis plant, according to a leading biotech firm.

GW Pharmaceuticals chief executive, Justin Gover, told the Telegraph that the company is rapidly expanding its processing operations and hopes to get regulatory clearance for a new cannabis-derived drug in 2018.

GW, based in Porton Down, developed the only UK-legal cannabis-derived drug back in 2010. Known as Sativex, it is used to treat patients suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Further investment in the company’s operations in the South-East will see GW’s capacity to manufacture their drugs expanded by three times over the next three years. Roughly £30m will be spent in the process.

If you type “cannabis growing methods” into your favorite search engine, more than half a million results for tips, tricks, products and other suggestions from the pros on how to maximize your crop will pop up.

There are many options for growers – either under a commercial license or legally at home – and most people who have experience growing have opinions about their favorite methodology. While everyone might not agree about the best way to cultivate cannabis, most will agree the process is complicated.

By using advanced technology, Syqe Medical wishes to make cannabis as easily accessible to patients as any other prescription drug.

Syqe Medical, an Israeli startup company, is one of the local pioneers of medical cannabis research. Their innovative products, such as the selected-dose marijuana inhaler, are designed to make the plant as easily accessible to patients as any other mainstream prescription drug.

Gorilla Glue #4 and vaporizer cartridges have Eaze drivers busy in the Golden State.

With recreational use already legal, and a more open retail market coming next year, California has one of, if not the biggest cannabis market in the world. To serve that market, weed delivery startup Eaze came on the scene in 2014, and has since amassed a clientele of 25,000 medical customers. Because no central marijuana database or strict regulation exists yet, a look at Eaze’s sales date and a survey of 5,000 users - or their “State of Cannabis” report - gives some much needed insight into the buying habits of California’s medical marijuana patients.

On February 7, a cancer patient in northern California died from a fungal infection that authorities suspect was caused by the inhalation of contaminated medical cannabis.

Roto-Gro produces an automated hydroponic growing system.

Roto-Gro International (ASX:RGI), a Canadian cannabis-tech company has been admitted to the ASX, and has become the latest player to join the list of cannabis based companies on the ASX.

Roto-Gro produces a fully automated rotary hydroponic system (a method of growing plants without soil) which can be used to grow up to 420 cannabis plants.

Australia legalised medical cannabis on 1 November 2016.

GB Sciences is seeking a patent for marijuana-based mixtures capable of preventing and treating several inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The patent application involves using cannabinoid-containing complex mixtures (CCCM) to disrupt the signaling pathways of  immune cells that play a role in inflammatory diseases starting and continuing. It the second application for a life-sciences invention by GB Sciences’s subsidiary, Growblox Life Sciences.

The injection of modern technology into the developing world of cannabis and legal medical marijuana is helping the industry climb to new heights and increase engagement with consumers, especially when it comes to cannabis patients in the medical facet of the industry. The synergy created between modern technology and the explosive cannabis industry is allowing leaders in marijuana to leverage consumer technology engagement for companies such as Reliq Health Technologies Inc. (OTC: RQHTF) (TSX-V: RHT), Acology Inc. (OTC: ACOL), Cannabis Science, Inc. (OTC: CBIS), Lifestyle Delivery Systems Inc (OTC: LDSYF) and mCig, Inc., (OTC: MCIG)