A team of scientists have questioned the validity of all existing research regarding both the harms and medicinal benefits of cannabis, after discovering that the strains of marijuana used in these studies tend to be considerably weaker than those that are sold commercially.

CS Compliance Systems (www.cscomply.com), developers of CannaScore (www.cannascore.net) - the world's first real-time regulatory compliance auditing application for the cannabis industry, announced its system is now in use by banks and financial institutions.

The CannaScore Agent program has been used by professional consultants since 2015, to help cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) avoid fines, suspensions, and even loss of a business license. By demonstrating compliance with regulations through the CannaScore Agent program, CRBs can gain access to capital and services from investors, banks, brokers, landlords, lawyers, and CPAs.

Smoking cannabis has been known to treat certain forms of cancer, but a recent study has found a link between use of the controversial herb and a heart-weakening condition.

Stress cardiomyopathy, popularly known as broken heart syndrome, shows symptoms eerily similar to a heart attack, including chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting.

The effects of the rare illness, which is often caused by the heart’s inability to pump blood, are usually short-lived but could indicate a more serious condition, according to a report by The Telegraph.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the government agency that manages alcohol sales across the province, is tapping into Kitchener-Waterloo’s startup community as it seeks to modernize the way it interacts with customers at its retail stores.

Even though the LCBO already has an innovation lab at its downtown Toronto headquarters, the scope of development there has been limited because of what the LCBO admits is a lagging approach to problem-solving.

Last issue, I introduced readers to the blossoming medical cannabis scene in Israel, and talked about what it’s like to be a medicinal cannabis patient there. This month, I will take a look at the many, varied innovations now being produced, along with some of the most advanced cannabinoid research taking place in the world today.

Brendan Kennedy, the CEO of Privateer Holdings, says he expects Canadian producers will enter into partnerships and joint ventures with their neighbours.

Canada’s marijuana industry could benefit after at least six states representing twice the population of Canada voted in favour of legalizing the drug, either recreationally or medically.

Voters in California, Massachusetts and Nevada approved on Tuesday the use of recreational cannabis, joining four other states and Washington, D.C., that have similar laws in place.

Florida, North Dakota and Arkansas approved medical marijuana, which would bring the total number of states with such a system to more than two dozen.

Here’s an interesting one. Bang Holdings Corp (OTCMKTS:BXNG) is a Florida based electronic cigarette company (according to its news media outlet bios) that develops, distributes and retails e-cigarettes and vaporizers. Forget that, for now, however.

What the company really does, and what its focus revenue driver going forward will be, is cannabis related advertising and marketing services. Through its Bang Digital Media brand, the company is aiming to capitalize on the marketing requirements of the burgeoning recreational cannabis space.

New York has always been one of the most fearsome states for small time marijuana consumers, with an obsessive focus on penalizing dime bag smokers and occasional tokers. Yet, the New York marijuana community is beginning to feel the progressive comfort and individual security that arrived with the nationwide trend towards legalization. It’s already been a few years since Mayor Bill De Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton implemented a no arrest policy for possession of under 25 grams of marijuana, and New York’s medical marijuana has been on the books for quite some time now.

Leafbuyer.com will immediately begin working with partners in each state and will deploy a huge marketing nationwide. Additional markets will allow Leafbuyer to scale its operations and offer a larger selection of cannabis deals to more consumers.

“We are excited to expand our platform to new and growing markets across the country. We are now beyond the tipping point. Our success in Colorado can be attributed to a customer-centric focus and intense grass roots marketing,” said Cayla Shortley, Director of Sales.

As the evidence supporting marijuana's healing properties continues to grow, the number of businesses getting involved with the commercialization of the plant also continues to expand. And despite the DEA's refusal to reschedule cannabis and relax federal laws surrounding marijuana, states continue to vote on and enforce their own laws surrounding the cannabis plant – particularly to acknowledge its medicinal properties.

So far, a number of states have legalized marijuana for medical use, and some have even legalized recreational use.