The support for legalizing marijuana has grown rapidly over the last decade but the oldest Americans aren't ready to sign off on it yet. Four states and Washington, D.C. have passed measures legalizing marijuana, and today 53 percent of Americans favor legalization and 44 are opposed. In 2006, those numbers stood at 32 percent in favor of legalization and 60 percent opposed, according to a survey from Pew Research Center.

The numbers have grown because of support among Baby Boomers, the group that came after them, Generation Xers, and the most recent generation, Millennials (those 18 to 34).

When Washington state legalized recreational marijuana use last July, Seattle’s tourism industry saw a new opportunity. Could Seattle become a hub for pot tourism, with eager visitors piling into local hotels and Airbnbs for an opportunity to try some of that famous Pacific Northwest weed? The answer, in a word: yes. But not without a struggle.

Before Seattle could become another Amsterdam, local businesspeople and tourism agencies had to (and still do) deal with some unexpected issues. Building a marijuana tourism mecca, it turns out, isn’t as simple as sparking up a spliff.

So How Does This Legal Recreational Marijuana Thing Work, Anyway?

As the state works out rules regulating recreational marijuana in Oregon, the electric power needs of indoor pot operations are raising issues for energy officials.

SALEM — As Oregon prepares for legal marijuana July 1, the state’s energy agency is looking for ways to curb electricity use by indoor pot growers.

Indoor marijuana gardens are well-known power hogs, but Oregon faces a dilemma as it researches how to extend its energy efficiency programs to the cannabis industry: federal money that typically helps pay for efficiency projects cannot be used for any activities that involve pot.

If the Florida Legislature fails to pass a medical marijuana bill this session the issue is almost certain to resurface as a proposed constitutional amendment in 2016. A similar amendment narrowly failed in 2014. However, it is widely believed that in a presidential election cycle (when Democrats in Florida turn out by 4-6 percent more than in non-presidential election cycles) a medical marijuana amendment will pass.

The real question may not be whether a medical marijuana amendment will pass (recent polls show medical marijuana is supported by 70 percent of Floridians) but whether such an amendment will impact the 2016 presidential election.

QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) - The Medical Marijuana program in Illinois, which started in January of 2014, is off to a slow start, but public health officials say now is the time for patients to apply.

First, patients need to fill out an application to get a medical marijuana card. They'll need their doctor to sign a form showing they have an eligible condition. 

Illinois health officials say they were able to iron out the approval process after looking at the dozens of other states with similar programs.

THE BILLION-DOLLAR GREEN RUSH IS ACCELERATING EVERY DAY. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'LL BE A MELLOW RIDE.

Five years ago, Brendan Kennedy had to psych himself for a tough conversation with his wife, Maria. Until that point, Kennedy had taken a pretty straightforward path for a tech entrepreneur. He’d launched two successful companies. He’d earned an MBA from Yale. He’d been the COO of Silicon Valley Bank Analytics, which provides research to venture-backed companies.

Willie Nelson is well-known these days as an avid marijuana supporter who recently created up his own weed brand, Willie’s Reserve. Yet, the country-singing superstar wasn’t always so bold about his love for weed. In fact, a 1936 film about it even scared him, according to his new memoir, It’s a Long Story: My Life, written by Nelson and contributor, David Ritz.

Nelson’s first legal troubles with marijuana began in 1977 when he was arrested in the Bahamas for possession. Although he was released with the condition that he never return to the island, Nelson had no intentions of quitting his love of smoking, which started when was just a child.

The MassRoots team is thrilled to announce that we are partnering and taking an equity position in a full seed-to-sale system, currently operating in stealth under the name Flowhub. Over the coming weeks, the MassRoots and Flowhub development teams will be integrating their systems, expanding the services available to MassRoots' users and dispensaries.

HARRISBURG (CBS) — Medical marijuana legislation is advancing through the Pennsylvania legislature and the profile of the man leading the charge is not what most people would expect.

State Senator Mike Folmer, a Lebanon County Republican, is not just the sponsor of legislation to legalize medical marijuana, he is passionate about it. That passion, he says, comes from what he has learned about it.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Some observers say a North Dakota bill passed this legislative session that sets guidelines for industrial hemp production should make it easier to grow and may help create an industry for Indian tribes, although it could take a while to sort out federal policies.

Hemp can be used to make clothing, lotion and many other products, but growing it has been illegal under federal law because it is type of cannabis plant and looks like marijuana. Unlike marijuana, people can't get high on hemp.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. David Monson is meant to put the state in line with the new federal farm bill that allows hemp to be grown through state agriculture departments and college research stations.