Nebraska senators will debate whether to legalize medical marijuana under a bill proponents say is aimed at residents struggling with debilitating seizures.

A legislative committee voted 7-1 Monday to advance a measure to create cannabis centers where marijuana would be produced and dispensed. Patients and caregivers could register with the state to obtain the drug for treatment.

"If it gets legalized, I will be a very happy person," said Maria Vavra, who uses marijuana as treatment for MS. "I have MS and if I did not smoke marijuana daily, I would be using my walker again and I would probably be in a wheelchair today."

"I use it for the spasms in my leg," said Dennis Pyle. "It seems to work better than the pills that I take."

Three men who identify themselves as former police officers smoke marijuana and get high on camera in a new video released in time for "420," the annual marijuana holiday.

All of the men say that they had previously smoked weed, but not for decades. And while none recalled arresting anyone for a marijuana crime during their law enforcement career, one did remember seizing "a lot of pot" from people.

With medical marijuana now legal in 23 states, and recreational use permitted in four states as well as Washington, D.C., a burgeoning cannabis industry is blooming in America.

The latest crop of potentially lucrative products? Pot for pets.

Biscuits, edibles and capsules containing cannabis compounds are being marketed to owners of ailing and elderly animals as natural pain relievers and anti-inflammatory supplements. But these products aren't getting Fido stoned, claim proponents.

Vancouver-headquartered Kaneh Bosm (KBB-CNSX) will take delivery of two marijuana vending machines in late April 2015.

“The BioCanna ADM is similar to the Best Buy kiosks that you see in airports,” explains Kaneh Bosm President and Director Michael Martinz. “They have back-end functionality that provides oversight to the machine operator as well as regulators.”

The ADM will screen out people under the age of 19, and verify that they are registered users – and it can also set daily maximums. After delivery, KBB will take a few days to install the software, test the machines and load up the inventory.

Romulus, N.Y. -- Town officials here are backing a proposal by a well-known medical marijuana entrepreneur to grow pot at the former Seneca Army Depot midway between Syracuse and Rochester.

Josh Stanley, who helped develop a strain of medical marijuana known as "Charlotte's Web" used to treat epileptic children, wants to build a greenhouse to grow marijuana on a 20-acre site within the 11,000-acre former Army base that closed in 2000.

Stanley told town officials at a meeting Wednesday the project would initially create 20 jobs and eventually 250.

"After the Army left, it left a big hole in our economy," said David M. Kaiser, Romulus town supervisor. "We are really excited about this because we need living wage jobs. A lot of families here are struggling."

And 80% think adults shouldn't use medical marijuana in front of children

While most Americans think medical marijuana should be allowed for adults, a majority says the drug shouldn’t be used by or in the presence of children, a new poll shows.

Everyone brought their best to the 2015 HIGH TIMES U.S. Cannabis Cup in Denver presented by MMJ America, Keef Cola and HighThere! The competition was fierce across all of the categories represented, but ultimately the judges voted for these fine entries. Here's the complete list of winners:

BEST COLORADO SATIVA FLOWER

1st Place - Ghost Train Haze - Greenman Cannabis

The president stopped short of endorsing the legalization of the drug, but did signal support for the medical marijuana bill backed by Rand Paul.

Interviewed by CNN's chief medical correspondent and vocal legalization advocate Dr Sanjay Gupta, Obama said: "You know, I think I’d have to take a look at the details.

In emerging marijuana businesses both the opportunities and the risks are, pardon the pun, high. The same could be said for the industry’s startup potential.

And even though traditional banks are not getting behind the industry just yet, there are investors in the marijuana industry. But even if you decide to take on a backer in your marijuana-related business, it doesn’t diminish the myriad risks.

Rx Marijuana Use in Nearly Half the U.S.

Worried that lawmakers may not act, advocates for medical marijuana could take their campaign to Nebraska voters next year, and a new state law could make their job easier.

Supporters said they've started gathering signatures to place the issue on the November 2016 ballot. Despite significant hurdles, activists from the Omaha chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said the new petitioning law will make a difference.

"It's still a mighty task, but this helps us tremendously," said Bryan Boganowski, the founder of Omaha NORML.