Marijuana legalization now enjoys majority support in the U.S. -- 52 percent of Americans support legalization, 42 percent oppose it, and 7 percent remain undecided, according to the latest General Social Survey.

But most changes to marijuana law aren't happening at the federal level, they're happening in the states. In some, possession and use remains a crime. Other states have decriminalized possession of small amounts, 24 have legalized marijuana for medical use, and 4 states plus Washington, D.C., have gone fully legal. There are as many shades of grey (or green) between these policies as there are states.

Guest columnist Fr. Thomas Haren was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cleveland in 1973. Has served as a priest at six different parishes in Cuyahoga County. He is currently the pastor of St. Monica Church in Garfield Heights where he has served since 2005.

Just think, in a few months the use of marijuana may become legal in Ohio.  Did you ever think how this could affect our lives? For example, during the past 30 years we have demonized "smokers." Now we will have a new group to demonize – "pot heads."

The ResponsibleOhio marijuana legalization campaign turned in a total of 695,273 signatures earlier this year in an attempt to get their initiative on the 2015 ballot. That’s more than twice as many as the 305,591 valid signatures required. That means that the signature gathering effort needs to have a 43.95+ signature validity rate to hit their goal. In some areas that goal is being exceeded. However, in other areas, the signature validity rate is falling short. Per USA Today:

Police in Mexico have seized nearly three tonnes of marijuana hidden in a house in Miguel Aleman, a town along the US border (Representational Image)

Police in Mexico have seized nearly three tonnes of marijuana hidden in a house in Miguel Aleman, a town along the US border in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, officials said.

The house in Linda Vista district was being guarded by a man who fled as soon as he spotted officers approaching, the Tamaulipas Coordination Group said.

Pittsfield Township plans to consider regulations and zoning for medical marijuana provisioning centers.

The Board of Trustees recently received information from Township Attorney Jim Fink describing how neighboring communities regulate and zone provisioning centers, formerly referred to as dispensaries

The issue will either land before the planning commission or come back before the board at a meeting later this summer or fall.

"The discussion was 'Here is where we are. Here are some options to think about. Here's what some other communities have done. That's it so far,'" Fink said.

Legalisation of cannabis won't happen under the current government, despite it allowing the one-off use of cannabinoid oil for Nelson teenager Alex Renton, the Associate Health Minister says.

While the Government allowed the use of Elixinol, a medical product made of hemp oil, to treat Nelson teenager Alex Renton, Peter Dunne says it changes nothing regarding the legalisation of cannabis.

Permission was allowed for Renton to have the product, which is illegal in New Zealand but available in the US, after an application was made to him by his family.

Renton, 19, had been in hospital after developing a condition which meant he suffered continuous seizures. He died on July 1 after around three months in hospital.

Panicking people with false fears about the kids is a proven election ploy, but there's a limit to how much guano the voters will accept. The laughably inept Proposal 1 campaign this past spring tried to convince us the lives of children were at stake if we didn't vote yes on the convoluted tax and spending plan, and then racked up one of the biggest rejections of a ballot proposal in state history.

Another tough test of this theory might arrive before the year is out. This time, we'll be asked to protect the kids from pot.

Kuwaiti police arrested a Briton after he was caught trying to smuggle drugs into the oil-rich Gulf emirate, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

The unidentified man was arrested at the airport in the capital Kuwait City after customs men searching him found three bags of marijuana hidden inside his shoes.

The Arabic language daily ‘Al Watan’, quoting security sources, said the passenger had just arrived from Amsterdam.

I feel the need to respond to my colleague, Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Las Cruces, and his views on legalizing marijuana. Representative McCamley is a good man, but his views on this issue are misguided. Marijuana is not only an unsafe drug itself, it leads to heavier drug use down the road. The additional exposure that would accompany legalization will put our children at even greater risk.

Studies have proven that marijuana is addicting and can hurt mental development. And for many people, there are similar characteristics that lead to stronger and more addictive drug use.

During my lifetime, I have seen the effects of this drug first hand. I have lost family members to drug addiction where it started with marijuana and then led to stronger drugs.

In April of this year, when he announced the recipients of numerous smart growth grants in the Adirondacks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reaffirmed his commitment to invest in a region that needs long-term economic stability.

At that time, I publicly applauded the governor’s actions. In the next several weeks, Gov. Cuomo will have another opportunity to partner with local governments to create significant and meaningful economic activity within the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park.

Soon, the governor will select five businesses to manufacture and distribute medical marijuana in New York. Of the 43 applicants, only one plans to build a greenhouse and manufacturing facility within the blue line of the Adirondack Park in Chester.