FARMINGTON —  More than $100,000 in research grants, received by two natural science faculty members at the University of Maine at Farmington, will fund a study on the chemical profile of medicinal cannabis.

Jean Doty, University of Maine at Farmington professor of biology, right, and Terry Morocco, associate professor of chemistry, have received more than $100,000 in research grants to study the chemical profile of medicinal cannabis.

Jean Doty, professor of biology, and Terry Morocco, associate professor of chemistry, have started a four-year project to look at medical cannabis strains and analyze the plant's profile to determine the medicinal compounds in the plant, Doty said.

A groundswell of support among everyday Americans has led to the passage of medical marijuana legislation in 23 states; however, Florida dragged its feet in approving medical marijuana legislation last year.

Although 57% of Floridians voted in favor of passing the medical marijuana measure, the total vote fell shy of the 60% required to make changes to the state's constitution.

Welcome to the First Church of Cannabis Inc., approved by Indiana’s Secretary of State under its controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Even bigger that state law approval, the church has even been granted tax-exempt status by the IRS. Tea Party conservatives evidently had a lot more trouble with their tax exemption applications. The stated intent of the upstart church is “to start a church based on love and understanding with compassion for all.”

ADDY, Wash. – Chris Van Hook bent over a shrub-sized marijuana plant at Mountain High Farm with a magnifying glass last month, looking for imperfections in the fan-shaped leaves.

A few of the fronds were “chewed on,” which is what Van Hook expects in a pesticide-free crop.

Pot grown at the state-licensed operation can’t be certified as organic because the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t recognize marijuana as a legal crop. Advertising it as organic would be a federal labeling violation, inviting hefty fines.

But if Mountain High passes Van Hook’s inspection, the Stevens County farm can advertise its product under the “Clean Green” label, an alternate certification Van Hook developed for pot growers touting the naturalness of their product.

Is the push for legalization of marijuana due to a conspiracy between GMO giant Monsanto and the U.S. government? Some people in the organic food community seem to think so.

James Hull recently went back to his roots as a 3rd generation horticulturist after a career in high-tech engineering.  The result? Catapult, a Marijuana-infused coffee which according to Hull makes you feel blissful and energetic at the same time.

It seems only natural that Hull runs his company, Fairwinds Mfg., just a few hours south of America’s coffee capital, Seattle.

(Catapult coffee from Fairwinds Mfg should not be confused with Fairwinds coffee from The Rogers Family Company which makes traditional coffee in California)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Sarah Wellington thought she had everything squared away to register for Minnesota's medical marijuana program.

Her multiple sclerosis fit the narrow list of conditions that qualify. Her neurologist was on board with trying medical marijuana. Just check back in a month and we'll get your paperwork started with the state, she was told.

But the follow-up was a shock: Her clinic decided it doesn't want a part in the state's new program yet. Her primary care clinic doesn't, either.

The legalization of recreational marijuana use has led to the creation of dozens of publicly traded companies seeking to carve out a space in what may be a potentially large growth industry. Now that the initial blush has worn off, however, these dozens of companies face the demands that all publicly traded companies have to confront: a sustainable business model led by a management team that has the experience and skill to execute to that model.

St. Paul, MN (WDAY/WDAZ TV) - Minnesota hospitals and health care facilities will be allowed to control, dispense and manage the use of medical cannabis under a newly-expanded availability.

Medical cannabis will become legal in pill and liquid form in July. The original law didn't include hospitals on the list of those allowed to distribute medical marijuana, but the Minnesota Legislature expanded the law during the final days of the 2015 session.

Health care facilities are also allowed to reasonably restrict the use of medical cannabis by patients when it comes to storage and location.

OKLAHOMA CITY -

Oklahomans pushing for a stronger medical marijuana initiative rallied at the State Capitol on Saturday.

Organizers said although they made some strides in the past year, it's still not enough for patients who they said really need help.

All smiles now, little Jaqie Warrior looks like any happy two-year-old. But it hasn't always been this way.

“She can hold her head up she can hold things now she had lost all of her development, my baby was on the brink of death every day,” said Brittany Hardy Warrior.

Suffering from severe epilepsy, Jaqie's mother tried every medication.

"Injections, diets, everything, nothing worked for my daughter, she was having over 200 seizures a day."