Children and teens run risk with the new knock-off sweets such as “Twixed” and “Munchy Way,” which are passing as edible marijuana. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The sale of marijuana is legal in some states, and while there are many debates about this substance and adult usage, the evidence is clear that developing children should stay away from pot.

Keeping marijuana out of children’s hands might be more difficult now, however, not just because of legalization, but because marijuana is starting to look more and more like candy.

Last December the Justice Department gave a yellow light to marijuana legalization on tribal land, saying it would treat reservations like states in deciding how to enforce the Controlled Substances Act. Two months later, the very first Tribal Marijuana Conference, held at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Washington, attracted about 250 people, including representatives from 75 or so Indian tribes. They listened intently as speakers (including me) discussed the pros and cons of legalization.

OSHAWA -- Oshawa council got a crash course on the issue of medical marijuana at a recent council special education session by members of the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee.

In 2013 the committee created a medical marijuana working group and members of the group addressed council on March 2 and delivered a slideshow presentation on issues related to medical marijuana.

Working group members Ben Fudge and Marko Ivancicevic outlined the history of medical marijuana in Canada and highlighted some of the issues that affect municipalities, including zoning for legal marijuana production facilities and the licensing of vapor lounges.

Mr. Ivancicevic explains the motivation behind asking for a special council meeting.

The growth of the medical marijuana movement presents a unique opportunity for advocacy groups to work hand-in-hand with the business community in order to bring about positive social change. Historically, advocates for important social reforms like the 40-hour week and safer working conditions had an understandably anti-business orientation. But when we're talking about providing greater access to medical marijuana, such an attitude is less than helpful. In fact, it's counter-productive. I believe if that fact were merely recognized and accepted by both medical marijuana activists and the business community, we would be much closer to establishing national acceptance than we are today.

Minnesota could wind up being a standout medical cannabis state in at least one regard: It’s been able to glide through the rulemaking and licensing process relatively smoothly.

At least so far.

Many states have taken years to implement MMJ laws, develop regulations and get the first businesses up and running. Minnesota, on the other hand, passed a law just last spring legalizing non-smokeable medical cannabis, and dispensaries are now on track to open to the public on July 1.

“We are aiming to open three of our four dispensaries in July, and hopefully the fourth one will be in August,” said Dr. Kyle Kingsley, CEO of Minnesota Medical Solutions (also known as MinnMed).

Attorney General Doug Peterson urged people to "wait and watch" what happens in Colorado before deciding whether to ease Nebraska's marijuana restrictions.

"I'm a little bit surprised how quickly this is moving," Peterson said of the issue, speaking during a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday at the Country Club of Lincoln.

"If people want to go down this road, please at least have enough patience for the state of Nebraska to watch, listen and learn," he said.

Colorado began allowing the sale of marijuana for recreational use last year.

While Peterson didn't cite any specific results of that change, he alluded to an increased burden on education, mental health and law enforcement workers.

LANSING, MI -- Michigan marijuana advocates have confirmed plans to launch a petition drive later this year and hope to put a legalization proposal on the statewide ballot in 2016.

As MLive first reported last month, the Michigan Comprehensive Cannabis Law Reform Initiative Committee is one of two marijuana-related groups eyeing the 2016 ballot.

Board members officially announced the effort on Thursday, indicating that they want to strengthen the state's medical marijuana program, create a regulated system for taxable sales to adults over 21 and facilitate industrial hemp farming.

Committee Chair Jeffrey Hank, a Lansing attorney, said the group is fine-tuning draft language before submitting petitions to the Board of State Canvassers for review.

Recent polling by Middle Tennessee State and Vanderbilt Universities indicate three of four Tennesseans support legalization in some form

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Even as three U.S. Senators, including Kentucky's Rand Paul, offered up a bill in Washington to protect patients, doctors and businesses from federal prosecution in states with active medical marijuana laws, the pace of legislation in Tennessee has remained cautious.

On Tuesday, Rep. Jeremy Faison's (R-Cosby) bill to legalize cannabis oil for medical purposes passed through the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, but not without needing an amendment requiring a doctor's letter for patients requesting the treatment.

Despite receiving “final” rejection for a licence to operate a medical marijuana operation by Health Canada, it appears a Lakeshore-based company will proceed with legal challenges against both the federal and municipal governments.

CEN Biotech has been officially notified by the federal government they will not get a licence to operate what the company touted as Canada’s largest medical marijuana operation.

The company last month received “notice of intent to refuse” from Health Canada and days later in response launched a court challenge requesting a judicial review of the federal government’s decision.

ANCHORAGE – 

It’s hard to go wrong with a simple brownie recipe.

Chelsea Deming says she grew up in the kitchen. When she got together with her boyfriend, Derek Herre, she began adding one more special ingredient to her recipes — marijuana.

“He realized that would be a good way for him to medicate without having to smoke,” Deming said.

Herre has Crohn’s disease and has been a medical marijuana cardholder for nearly five years.

“This definitely helps with my inflammation, my nausea,” Herre explained.

Deming bakes for him and now does the same for other medical users. They call their business “Baked Alaska” and word is quickly spreading through social media.

Here’s how it works: