Faces Human Capital Management (HCM), a leader in assisting the rapidly-evolving legal cannabis industry with its unique human resources issues, marks a double milestone this month; as it celebrates its one-year anniversary and the acquisition of its 14th client. 

"We've been working with a pioneering group of cannabis companies, who are successfully applying our management solutions to issues like HR and payroll, as well as workers' compensation and benefits," says Faces HCM co-founder and managing director Caela Bintner. "It's been exciting and rewarding to know that we're helping them make the legal marijuana industry that much more of a legitimate business sector." 

Medical life science company, Medlab Clinical Limited (ASX:MDC), has signed a significant cannabis supply agreement with Canadian licenced producer of medical marijuana, Aphria Inc. (TSX VENTURE:APH)(OTCQB:APHQF). Cannabis plant species, yields and a novel extraction process have been established in collaboration between Medlab and Aphria, allowing Aphria to produce for Medlab in a large scale supply.

The combination of the two most known cannabis extracts required by Medlab, CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), produces in excess of 70 per cent active ingredient for both compounds, making it one of the most potent compounds known.

Maryland entrepreneurs seeking to get into the marijuana business will have a new boost of extra help following the rules thanks to a Colorado tech firm.

Maryland law firm Offit Kurman, which has offices in Bethesda and Baltimore, formed an exclusive alliance with Denver-based Adherence Compliance to offer automated compliance software and services for the cannabis industry, it announced Friday.

The technology conducts audits and provides quantitative risk assessment applications and consulting services for companies in states that have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational purposes.

The products accompany the release of a new single from the rap duo, 'We Have Candy' .

Though South African rap duo Die Antwoord are currently prepping the release of new album Mount Ninji and Da Nice Time Kid, they appear to have found time to branch out with a little entrepreneurialism. 

The pair partnered with Northern California's largest supplier of medicinal cannabis products, Natural Cannabis, to bring out their own line of weed products called Zef Zol (via Channel 24); ranging from vapes, vape refills, lip balms, chocolates, and mouth spray. 

In November, voters in as many as 12 states will see a marijuana legalization initiative on their ballots. Marijuana is already legal for recreational use in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Washington, D.C. Another 25 states have legalized medical marijuana. The era of marijuana prohibition is rapidly coming to a close.

Unfortunately, lawmakers lack easy answers to tough questions facing the marijuana industry. Legalization presents challenges on a number of fronts, including distribution, taxation, consumption, security and public health.

Bitcoin-accepting Trees, a former medical cannabis dispensary that made headlines with its vision to deliver dank buds via drone, has pivoted towards becoming a marketplace in conjunction with building a payment processor. Its emphasis is on allowing cannabis businesses to become their own banks through blockchain technology.

While exposure to the drug is not intended to be the "sole focus point" of the American Growth Fund Series Two Class E, the fund's prospectus on July 29 said it will now be focused mostly on “common stocks and securities convertible into common stock in companies involved in at least some way in the legal cannabis business." That includes legally registered, publicly traded companies in fields like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, hydroponic or tobacco companies, the firm says.

The Denver-based fund manager says the offering may also invest in REITs, "if the investment committee believes that it could be advantageous to the stockholders."

United Talent Agency is now representing the marijuana industry’s pre-eminent media and events company, High Times.

The partnership makes High Times the first significant marijuana-centric company to gain representation from a major Hollywood talent agency, a further step in overcoming the stigma surrounding the plant. High Times Chief Revenue Officer Matt Stang said it’s time has come.

“The rest of the world is finally coming to where we’ve been for more than 40 years,” Stang said. “Cannabis is a mainstream topic, it’s not something that’s bad or wrong anymore.”

United Talent Agency (UTA) declined to comment on the signing.

We’re somewhere near the crest of Mulholland Drive and the City of Los Angeles sparkles below us. Stretched across the long, flawless astroturf that blankets the yard, there are booths serving all you can eat carnival treats: funnel cake, garlic fries, Italian ice. Large green and purple globes cast their glow everywhere. It’s neither dark nor light. A woman suspended in a giant chandelier stretches in its arms, and reaches down to pour champagne for anyone who wants it. Performers on stilts with phantasmagorical masks slink through the crowd and the clouds of marijuana smoke. Trays of thick joints are passed like hors d’oeuvres. Torches hiss and a woman wonders out loud as she waits in line for a wax hit: “Who’s paying for all this?” 

In November, voters in as many as 12 states will see a marijuana legalization initiative on their ballots. Marijuana is already legal for recreational use in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Washington, D.C. Another 25 states have legalized medical marijuana. The era of marijuana prohibition is rapidly coming to a close.

Unfortunately, lawmakers lack easy answers to tough questions facing the marijuana industry. Legalization presents challenges on a number of fronts, including distribution, taxation, consumption, security and public health.