MEXICO CITY — Once upon a time, Mexican marijuana was the gold standard for U.S. pot smokers. But in the new world of legal markets and gourmet weed, aficionados here are looking to the United States and Europe for the good stuff.

Instead of Acapulco Gold, Mexican smokers want strains like Liberty Haze and Moby Dick — either importing high-potency boutique pot from the United States, or growing it here in secret gardens that use techniques perfected abroad.

It’s a small but growing market in a country where cannabis is largely illegal, unlike the U.S. states of Colorado and Washington that have legalized recreational use, and others where medical marijuana is available.

Support for medical marijuana was highest amongst people aged 55 and over: 84 per cent agreed it should be legal.

Younger respondents were slightly less supportive, with 72 per cent aged 18-34 in favour.

Both major parties have offered conditional support for medical marijuana.

The Coalition Government is planning medicinal cannabis trials for epileptic children, terminally ill adults and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley has accused the Government of moving too slowly, saying the trials are unnecessary because the benefits have been proven.

San Diego — A group of “ganjapreneurs” looking to break into the budding business of marijuana attended the Cannabis Career Institute seminar Sunday.

Attendees shelled out about $300, which includes the cost of a state-specific text book, to attend the daylong course at a downtown hotel. The curriculum included a handful of speakers who taught different aspects of the marijuana industry — from growing the plant to starting a cannabis business, to navigating the legal and regulatory requirements for the ventures.

Many attendees came with ideas of their own.

Potential medical marijuana patients who in live in California and are too shy to ask their primary care physician for a recommendation now have an alternative in marijuana doctors who make house calls.

Meadow recently launched CannabisMD for medicinal enthusiasts who want convenience and privacy. “Some patients don’t want to be seen at a doctor’s office or drive to doctors whose offices are located in a sketchy part of town,” said David Hua, Meadow’s co-founder and CEO. “Others are not mobile so they love the experience of being in the comfort of their home and having a doctor arrive to evaluate them.”

Former U.S. Marine Ryan Begin rolls a medical marijuana joint at his home in Belfast, Maine, in late November. (Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press)

Three of Maine’s four federally recognized Indian tribes are discussing legalizing marijuana on their lands, including at least one tribe that is considering commercial-scale production of marijuana as a way to provide jobs and income for its members, reports the Portland Press-Herald.

As my children, and my friends’ children, are getting older, a question that comes up again and again from friends is this: Which would I rather my children use — alcohol or marijuana?

The immediate answer, of course, is “neither.” But no parent accepts that. It’s assumed, and not incorrectly, that the vast majority of adolescents will try one or the other, especially when they go to college. So they press me further.

Texas lawmakers introduced comprehensive medical marijuana legislation Friday that would allow patients suffering from serious conditions — including cancer and seizure disorders — to access the plant with a doctor's prescription.

“By continuing to deny access to patients, we limit the rights of families to seek the best possible treatment for conditions that do not respond to other drugs or therapies," Rep. Márquez said in a news release. "We should create paths, and not obstacles, in allowing doctors to recommend medicine that has been shown to work."

The House and Senate bills differ from previous proposals that would allow access to cannabidiol (CBD) oils with little or no THC, the chemical that gives users their high.

A North Carolina lawmaker has spearheaded a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in the state, citing increased public support for legal weed and the inflow of tax revenue that would come with medical pot sales. State Rep. Kelly Alexander, a Democrat, has attempted such legislation three times before but said he’s more confident than ever that the bill could pass this time around. A rally in support of the bill is expected to take place next week outside the Statehouse in Raleigh, according to WSOC-TV.

In Russia marijuana is illegal. It is illegal to purchase, possess, and consume. You name it it is illegal. Now you may have up to five grams on your person but you better be able to come up with a bribe of at least 500 dollars or you may be sitting in jail for up to two years. Russian police are some of the most corrupt on the planet. You being the foreigner it will take a bribe to get yourself out of being arrested. The club scene is great but unless you know who you are buying from don't bother. If you are trying to buy some herb, five grams will run you about $100. If you are wanting to buy hash then you better be willing to pay the same.

Japan is one of those countries where it just might be best for you not to try to get stoned. If you like living on the edge then this is the place to get high. The laws are some of the strictest in the world. A gram of herb will land a local in jail. A foreigner with a gram will be deported and you will never be invited back. Yes, it is the place that if you want to get stoned you better be adventurous.