The Major Marijuana Moments of 2014 (So Far)

If we've learned anything this year, it's that marijuana is a huge cash cow. Stoners are rejoicing, businessmen are laughing all the way to the bank, and state legislatures are being forced to seriously consider the value of legalizing weed for tax and revenue proposes. Make no mistake, 2014 is the year of ganja. So, as America prepares to celebrate the annual reefer holiday of 420, take a look back at the major headlines that have helped make 2014 a monumental year for marijuana.

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Date: 4/15/14
Location: Katy, Tex.

To Ceasar Huerta Cantu, President Obama is something like a hero. According to a press release from the White House, the president commuted Cantu's prison sentence, preventing the Texas man from serving nearly four additional years in prison than he should've. In 2006, Cantu pleaded guilty to marijuana trafficking and money laundering charges, but his offense level was incorrectly recorded as a 36 instead of a 34, which yields a 15-year prison sentence as opposed to the 11 and a half years he was supposed to serve. Though a judge decided that Cantu didn't catch the mistake early enough to do anything about it, President Obama swooped in with the clutch commutation, correcting a mistake that would've seized another three and a half years of Cantu's life. Good save, Barry.

Date: 4/13/14
Location: Avon, Colo.

Colorado's highly-anticipated first marijuana vending machine has arrived. The American Green ZaZZZ machine was added to the patio of Montana's Steakhouse in Avon, Colo. Here's the thing, though: The delectable edibles inside are only available to licensed medical marijuana cardholders. The beauty of it is that you could walk right past it and never know what it is. It's yet another win for Colorado as its weed revolution rolls on.

Date: 4/11/14
Location: Denver

A Texas man who allegedly left his weed in a Denver hotel room literally paid for it. According to the New York Daily News, the man who chose to identify himself only as "Louis" said he was charged $200 by the Hyatt Place Denver/Cherry Creek for leaving his stash behind while he was in town for a snowboarding trip. The man told the Denver Post that he wasn't about to bring it on the plane with him, so he elected to stay on karma's good side and leave it behind. Wrong move. "They give you those cylindrical green jars, and I left about a half an eighth and another little bag, maybe a half a gram. It was sealed," he told the Denver Post. "I figured I'd leave it behind on the desk in case the maid wanted it. You know, positivity." After noticing the charge on his bank account, he called the hotel and was told it was for smoking in his room. He countered by saying he only smoked outside, and after complaining on Twitter, hotel brass stepped in and Louis was refunded. Who knew it would be so difficult to smoke weed in a state where weed is legal? This is a reminder to never leave it behind as a kind gesture.

Date: 4/11/14
Location: Freeport, Long Island

A Long Island man was arrested for selling marijuana out of his mail truck. Jimmy Henry, 29, was busted selling weed to Jennie Pappas, 24, in the Merrick Post Office parking lot in Freeport, Long Island. Police reportedly watched Henry hand Pappas a silver container that was hidden in the back of the mail truck. Not only did cops find the weed in Pappas' possession, they also found a black bag containing a substance believed to be weed inside of Henry's vehicle. Both were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, but Henry also faces criminal sale of marijuana charges.

Date: 4/10/14
Location: Yuba City, Calif.

Prom season is rapidly approaching, forcing many teens into a frenzy of preparation for the school year's apex—aside from graduation, of course. One California teen crossed the line and now faces deportation for selling brownies laced with marijuana to pay for her prom dress. Sara Munoz of Yuba City, Calif. badly wanted to attend to River Valley High School's prom, but didn't have the money for a dress. With resources scarce, she elected to hold a bake sale and recruited another student to peddle her pot brownies. However, a student was hospitalized after unknowingly consuming the edibles, exposing Munoz's operation. Munoz, who was 18 at the time, was charged with employing a minor to sell marijuana. A judge sentenced her to nine days in jail, but she was given credit for time served. She'll also spend the next four years on probation, but that's the least of her concerns. The crime revealed that the Mexican native came to the U.S. in 2000 with just temporary permission. Her felony may result in her deportation, which makes not having the cash for a prom dress completely irrelevant in the grand scheme.

Date: 4/8/14
Location: Lufkin, Tex.

For whatever reason, a woman in East Texas called police to complain about the quality of the marijuana she had recently purchased. According to the Huffington Post, police in Lufkin, Texas ventured to 37-year-old Evelyn Hamilton's home after she placed a distress call about disappointing weed and a dealer who refused to refund her. Lufkin Sgt. David Casper told the Huffington Postthat Hamilton fell for the okie-doke when a cop asked if she still had the weed, removing it from her bra and placing it on the table. Cops must really love seeing if they can get away with that. Hamilton, who was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, paid $40 for what she described as "seeds and residue." That's a valid reason for being pissed off, but the police aren't the ones to call when your weed man lets you down. That's when you get a new weed man and, hopefully, stay out of jail. Hamilton didn't do that.

Date: 4/7/14
Location: Malibu, Calif.

Officials say a boat carrying an estimated ton of marijuana turned up on a Southern California beach this morning. NBC Los Angeles reports that a 30-foot Panga boat was spotted near Leo Carrillo State Park—roughly 10 miles west of Malibu—around 8 a.m. The official weight of the load was not confirmed, but authorities investigating the discovery guessed that it weighed a ton—possibly more. According to NBC Los Angeles, one person was detained at the scene, and that U.S. Coast Guard searched the water, but did not locate anyone.

Date: 4/7/14
Location: Denver

Four months after Colorado's ongoing legal weed experiment went into effect, Denver's crime statistics are holding steady—and, in some cases, even decreasing. While opponents to legalization, such as Douglas County Sheriff David Weaver, had claimed the new policy would lead to more crime and underage use, it doesn't look like that is coming to pass. While it is true that legalizing weed hasn't eradicated illegal drug dealing, a new piece today on Vox reports that violent crime is in-line with last year's statistics, having dropped 2.4 percent compared to January and February of 2013. And property crime is down, too. Compared to the first two months of 2013, reports of robberies and stolen property are down 6.2 percent and 13 percent respectively. Burglaries and criminal mischief, on the other hand, rose by the small margin of 0.5 percent. While it's probably too early to tell if a decrease in crime will be an ongoing trend, the new statistics offer more evidence that legalization and decriminalization seem to be working.

Date: 4/4/14
Location: Colorado

Unsurprisingly, a black market for marijuana still exists in Colorado despite recreational marijuana being legal. Should anyone really be surprised? The Associated Press references the January shooting death of 25-year-old Nathaniel Tallman—who was killed trying to sell weed the "old-fashioned, illegal way"—to highlight concern in Colorado over the matter: While no one expected the state's first-in-the-nation recreational sales would eliminate the need for dangerous underground sales overnight, the violence has raised concerns among police, prosecutors and pot advocates that a black market for marijuana is alive and well in Colorado. What did they expect? According to marijuana advocates, a complete and immediate overhaul of the way things were previously done was not to be expected: Pot advocates say the state is in a transition period, and while pot-related crimes will continue, they will begin to decline as more stores open and prices of legal marijuana decline. "It's just a transition period," activist Brian Vicente said. "Marijuana was illegal for the last 80 years in our state, and there are some remnants of that still around. Certainly, much like alcohol, over time these underground dealers will fade away." Yes, there are over 160 state-licensed locations where legal weed is available, but people will still buy and sell weed illegally in the interim (and afterwards). Everyone knew this was going to continue, just like they know water is wet.

Date: 4/4/14
Location: Salt Lake City

A pair of idiots in Utah ran afoul of the law when they decided to tie one of the men's son to a tree so they could smoke marijuana. The Huffington Post reports that Richard Marsh, 29, and Paul Rapp, 35, were allegedly seen dragging Marsh's 4-year-old son across the street by his backpack harness in Salt Lake City, Utah. A witness also told police they watched Rapp continue to drag the boy, even after he tripped and fell. When they finally came to a stop, they tied the child to a tree and began smoking weed. Disgusted witnesses finally called the police, and Marsh and Rapp tried to dispose of the pipe they used to smoke when officers arrived. Marsh and Rapp were arrested and charged with child abuse.

Date: 3/31/14
Location: Alaska

Authorities in Alaska say a Catholic priest was arrested after guns and drugs were found in his vehicle. It also didn't help that he was driving drunk. The New York Daily News reported that a state trooper spotted Father Sean Thomson speeding on a highway in Fairbanks. Thomson, 52, told officer Christopher Blitz that he was drunk, then proved it by handing him a receipt rather than his vehicle registration. Thomson's blood-alcohol content was reportedly three times the legal limit. Furthermore, Thomson told Blitz that there was a .357 in the truck, but declined to tell him about the 9 mm in his pocket. Blitz found it during a search, as well as a bag of marijuana that was in Thomson's sweatshirt. Thomson was charged with drunk driving, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, not telling a state trooper he was carrying a firearm, drug possession and refusing to taken an alcohol test. The law is less forgiving than the Lord.

Date: 3/23/14
Location: Bronx, N.Y.

The owner of a Bronx tax filing business and three of his employees were arrested for marijuana possession. Perhaps the sign had something to do with it. Michael Thomas, 35, and employees—Christopher Mullahey, 36, Christina Clarke, 28, and Mark Parsons, 48—were arrested when a narcotics officer spotted a ziplock bag filled with weed in the office. If the green sign out front wasn't a clue, a bag of weed you can't explain will do it. During a search, police found seven additional bags containing two ounces of marijuana, a metal grinder and a pipe.

Date: 3/13/14
Location: Huntington Beach, Calif.

Parents in Huntington Beach, CA got pissed at clothing retailer Tilly's over marijuana-themed apparel. Youth Matters, a parent organization in the area, asked the neighborhood Tilly's to take down any and all merchandise with the green leaf on it. Kim Green, the chairwoman of the committee explained to the shop that the leggings, tops and swimsuits with weed plants on them "could desensitize children to drug use." She along with the other parents were concerned that kids won't be "shocked by it" if the image becomes more common. "It's a safety and life issue," Green said. "It's not like Pok̩mon cards. Kids are dying from [drugs]." The store removed the items in its Huntington Beach location, and reportedly agreed to get rid of the ones in its Orange County and Riverside stores. Green is also pushing for Tilly's to take the products down from its website, and plans to pressure the retailer Active Ride Shop next.

Date: 3/13/14
Location: Oakland, Calif.

An Oakland man was arrested after police found over 100 pounds of marijuana during a routine traffic stop. According to SFGate.com, the California Highway Patrol stopped a minivan for tailgating. After the driver, Zi Ren Li, 29, exited the freeway, an officer noticed the distinct smell of marijuana. CHP Spokesman Officer Sean Wilkenfield said that a search of the vehicle produced 128 pounds of marijuana. Li was charged with transportation of marijuana and suspicion of possession of marijuana. This marks the second time this week alone that your average traffic stop turned into a win for police.

Date: 3/12/14
Location: Salt Lake City

Many are guilty of bragging on social media, even members of law enforcement. The Huffington Post reported that the Unified Police Department in Salt Lake County, Utah seized 22 pounds of marijuana during a routine traffic stop on I-80. Quite proud of themselves, the department released a statement on the arrest: A UPD officer stopped to help a motorist on the side of the road near I-80 and 7200 W. While the officer was speaking with the driver, and with the help of a Utah Highway Patrol K-9, twenty two pounds of Marijuana were discovered and taken off the street. The driver was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. As an extension of that pride, a photo of the marijuana resting casually atop a UPD vehicle was uploaded to the department's Facebook account. As for the suspect, well, they're facing up to five years in prison for possession, and another five if they intended to sell it.

Date: 3/12/14
Location: Greeley, Colo.

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado has influenced some businesses positively and others negatively, as evidenced by the actions of one barber. According to the New York Daily News, Hugo Corral has banned customers who reek of weed from entering his Greeley, Colo. business, Hugo's Barber Shop."I feel that it's my right to make the statement. It's the same thing as no shoes no service," he explained to CBS Denver. Though Corral says he's in favor of the state's new law, he's resorting to this because parents have complained about the odor. "A mother calls and says, hey we can't go in there anymore because we don't want it to smell like marijuana when my child's sitting there waiting," he said. While parents have praised him for being conscientious and considerate, some have threatened lawsuits.

Date: 3/11/14
Location: Houston, Tex.

According to authorities, a Texas teenager allegedly set his mother's clothes on fire because she would not give him money to buy marijuana. The Smoking Gun reported that 18-year-old John Carter of Houston asked his mother for the money, and when she refused he set her clothes ablaze, resulting in minor damage to their apartment. Carter was arrested and charged with arson, then taken to Harris County jail where he was held on $30,000 bail.

Date: 3/11/14
Location: Colorado

The state of Colorado made at least $2 million in taxes from recreational marijuana sales during the month of January. According to the Associated Press, the state Department of Revenue revealed that just over $14 million worth of recreational marijuana was sold during that period, yielding $2 million in taxes. There's a 12.9 percent sales tax on recreational weed, as well as a 15 percent excise tax. When you add taxes and licenses fees from the state's medical marijuana industry, Colorado pulled in a total $3.5 million during the year's opening month. The Associated Press adds that these figures are about what was expected, and now the focus will shift to how the state should spend this money. Gov. John Hickenlooper shared a $134 million spending proposal, which includes additional advertising about the dangers of driving while high and anti-drug messages for children. State police chiefs would also appreciate a little bit more compensation. A financial breakdown revealed that most of the sales took place in Denver County, which is the central location for the state's marijuana industry. What's even more impressive is that this marijuana revenue came from less than 60 stores across the state.

Date: 3/7/14
Location: Colorado

In an effort to be responsible, Colorado has unveiled three commercials that warn against the dangers of driving while high to accompany the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. The ads, curated by the state Department of Transportation all contain the same tag: "Drive High, Get A DUI." The state has established that anyone with at least five nanograms of THC in their bloodstream while behind the wheel of a car can receive a DUI. This law has been contested by marijuana advocates who claim there is no evidence proving that this very specific amount of marijuana will render someone impaired. Each of the ads relays the common theme that if you're too high to perform simple tasks, you definitely shouldn't be driving.

Date: 3/6/14
Location: Sonora, Calif.

Three third-graders were caught smoking marijuana in the bathroom of a California elementary school, officials say. CBS San Francisco reports that two eight-year-olds and a nine-year-old were discovered smoking weed in the bathroom at Sonora Elementary School in Sonora, Calif. by another student on Feb. 27. The student made school administrators aware, and they immediately contacted police. Following questioning, the students were released to their parents. Though Principal Chris Boyles declined comment, Superintendent Leigh Shampain confirmed the incident. Some parents are calling for the students to be expelled, but Shampain refused to disclose the disciplinary action the school will take. CBS San Francisco adds that, in the interim, the case has been passed along to the Tuolumne County Probation Department.

Date: 3/5/14
Location: Washington, D.C.

D.C. Council voted 10-1-1 to pass a bill decriminalizing marijuana possession in the District. The bill, engineered by Ward 6 council member Tommy Wells, aims to alter the enforcement of marijuana laws in the city, which have led to a disproportionate number of arrests for African-American males.

"In D.C., there are more than 5,000 arrests per year for marijuana; 90 percent are African American," Ward told the Washington Post. "One drug charge can change a life forever. Our action...does not repeal all negative impacts caused by criminalization of marijuana, but it moves us in the right direction."

As the Post notes, the bill partially decriminalizes marijuana, resulting in civil fines for possession rather than jail time. Though many are celebrating the bill as a victory, it has also further complicated marijuana arrests in D.C., as local and federal jurisdictions overlap. For example, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Park Police told the Post that it's unlikely the agency will align with the city's bill: Last year, the U.S. Park Police, which has jurisdiction over the [National] Mall and nearly every park and traffic circle, recorded 501 "incidents" involving marijuana. The agency has not formed a response to the D.C. measure, but a Park Police spokeswoman said there is "nothing to suggest" it would follow the city's lead.

There's sure to be confusion, so here are a few facts about the new measure that make everything a little less cloudy. For example, decriminalization absolutely does not mean that marijuana is legal in D.C. now: Someone could be arrested under federal law, for instance, for possession on the Mall. Elsewhere in the city, the penalty for possession of up to an ounce would drop to a fine of $25—smaller than in any state except Alaska. Consumption in private residences would draw the same fine, unless in public housing, which is governed by federal law. The bill would equate smoking marijuana in public to toting an open can of beer; a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of $500 and up to six months in jail, down from a potential $1,000 fine and one-year jail sentence.

According to the Washington City Paper, police will still take both your weed and your vaporizer if they're visible: Whether or not it's less than an ounce, police will take your marijuana if it's "visible," according to the bill...If [a vaporizer] is "visible," that's gone, too.

While having or smoking marijuana in the privacy of a home will no longer be a criminal offense, public smoking is still prohibited: Since the bill forbids smoking in public, pot smokers are limited to their own property or property to which they're invited.

So what about selling it? Unluckily for the people actually distributing marijuana, selling the drug is still a crime in the District. That could change, though, if activists manage to put an initiative legalizing marijuana on the ballot in November.

Furthermore, how the law is enforced could depend largely on who's living in the White House at the time: Implementing and enforcing the measure promises to be an ongoing challenge. How the law is interpreted by federal agents in the city could depend largely on who is president. Under President Obama, the Justice Department has not sought a confrontation with states that have legalized or decriminalized marijuana. But more than two dozen federal law enforcement agencies operate in the District, and some routinely make traffic stops and arrests.

Here's the takeaway: Nas' vision of "smoking weed in the streets without cops harassin'" remains a Utopian fantasy in the District for the moment, but the penalties won't be as harsh. All eyes will now shift to the initiative for full legalization that will be on the ballot this November.

Overall, this decision deserves more of a respectful clap than a standing ovation, though the recognition of and commitment to addressing a matter that's plagued young black men in D.C. is certainly worthy of some applause.

Date: 3/4/14
Location: Miami

Gerrine Garrett, 48, was arrested for weed possession, as well as tampering with evidence. It's her mugshot, however, that's making waves thanks to the unapologetic statement on her earrings. They're so raw, so 1989 and they let you know that Garrett is looking at everyone with skepticism. Little does she know, everyone is doing the same to her. Garrett was being held on $10,000 bail following her arrest. This moment in earring history will never be forgotten, but please, no one emulate this woman.

Date: 2/28/14
Location: New York City

According to the NYPD, a man swallowed the evidence after an officer caught him smoking marijuana in public. DNAinfo reported that the officer observed Dejon Smith, 22, smoking weed in public. Realizing he had been caught, Smith reportedly ingested the evidence as the cop approached him. However, Smith neglected to address the open bottle of vodka, which was in plain sight. In addition to being charged with tampering with evidence, Smith was charged with governmental obstruction. Unfortunately for Smith, his arrest revealed that he also had three other outstanding warrants.

Date: 2/27/14
Location: N/A

With marijuana legalization going full steam ahead in Washington and Colorado, it was only a matter of time before other states started to hop on the bandwagon. The New York Times reports that the next states to consider going green may be Alaska and Oregon. It's an exciting moment for pro-marijuana advocates, but whether or not the trend continues may be largely determined by its fate in these new battlegrounds. According to opponents of legalization, 2014 is a crucial year to step up efforts to curb the spread of the devil's oregano: "We feel that if Oregon or Alaska could be stopped, it would disrupt the whole narrative these groups have that legalization is inevitable," said Kevin A. Sabet, executive director of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, which is spearheading much of the effort to stop these initiatives. "We could stop that momentum." Though folks like Sabet seems convinced that they can turn things around, it's hard to imagine the tide changing in their favor. Between relaxing possession laws, medical marijuana initiatives, and full-on recreational legalization, the American public seems intent on pushing toward legal weed: At least 14 states—including Florida, where an initiative has already qualified for the ballot—are considering new medical marijuana laws this year, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, which supports legalization, and 12 states and the District of Columbia are contemplating decriminalization, in which the drug remains illegal, but the penalties are softened or reduced to fines. It's also notable that traditional party divides don't seem to apply to pot legalization: Demonstrating how marijuana is no longer a strictly partisan issue, the two states considered likeliest this year to follow Colorado and Washington in outright legalization of the drug are Oregon, dominated by liberal Democrats, and Alaska, where libertarian Republicans hold sway. The trend toward legalization isn't just a product of 4th meal aficionados and Modern Warfare fans. Legal chronic means big money for states that opt in—so big that it's increasingly hard to say no: The allure of tax revenues is also becoming a powerful selling point in some states, particularly after Gov. John W. Hickenlooper of Colorado said last week that taxes from legal marijuana sales would be 34 million in the coming fiscal year, much higher than had been predicted when the measure was passed in 2012. Though money talks louder than just about anything else in U.S. politics, there's still one stark divide that recreational pot advocates must contended with. Old people, unsurprisingly, still aren't chill with the reefer. There were stark differences in the new poll, though. While 72 percent of people under 30 favored legalization, only 29 percent of those over 65 agreed. And while about a third of Republicans now favored legalization, this was far below the 60 percent of Democrats and 54 percent of independents who did so. Once gramps hops on board, it's game over for the anti-marijuana lobby.

Date: 2/27/14
Location: Amsterdam

In an effort to combine sex, drugs and safety, one conscientious company has created condoms that taste like marijuana. Time reports that Cannadom has fathered weed-flavored condoms, known as "Cannadoms," naturally. They're available for $2 each and the company is based in Amsterdam, where marijuana, among other things, is legal. In case you were wondering, yes, the condoms are green. Perhaps the company could spice things up by offering a variety of condoms, just as there's an assorted of marijuana strains. Just something to think about.

Date: 2/25/14
Location: Colorado

After a California Girl Scout sold over 100 boxes of cookies because she wisely set her operation up in front of a medical marijuana shop, the Girl Scouts of Colorado decided to issue a statement explaining that scouts in Colorado cannot follow suit, even though recreational marijuana is legal in the state. "Our position is really pretty simple," chief marketing officer for the Girl Scouts of Colorado Rachel Trujillo explained to the Huffington Post. "There's a place for everything, and just like a liquor store or a gun show, a marijuana dispensary isn't a place for young girls to be selling cookies." The Huffington Post reported that reactions to the announcement were mixed, with one Colorado resident in particular calling it hypocritical on the GSCO Facebook page, noting that scouts are allowed to sell cookies outside of grocery stores which sell both cigarettes and beer. It's the state organization's decision, so arguing or complaining about it will do very little. Just give credit to Danielle Lei for picking the right spot to destroy her cookie quota in San Francisco.

Date: 2/25/14
Location: Franklin, Pa.

A Salvation Army outlet in Pennsylvania got an unexpected donation last week: marijuana. The Huffington Post reported that police in Sugarcreek Borough received a call about a "substantial quantity" of weed found inside of a large plastic bag mixed in with clothes that had recently been donated at the Franklin, Pa. location. This was obviously accidental, and Police Chief Matt Carlson said he figures whoever mistakenly gave their weed away definitely knows by now. Unsurprisingly, this isn't the first time an incident like this has taken place. You'd think people would be more responsible with their weed.

Date: 2/21/14
Location: San Francisco, Calif.

A girl just barely into her teens reportedly sold over 100 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in under two hours by posting up outside of a San Francisco medical marijuana dispensary. Danielle Lee, 13, sold a total of 117 boxes in front of The Green Cross during that brief period, exceeding the total she sold in front of a supermarket by 37. According to Mashable, Lee's mother, Carol, said that she takes both of her daughters to different locations around the city so they can adapt and learn how to sell cookies in different environments. In other words, she's breeding both of them to be sales beasts. Green Cross Medical was happy to help Daniel succeed, and proudly posted images of her hustling cookies in front of their business on their Facebook page. As for Lee, well, you could be looking at a future CEO.

Date: 2/17/14
Location: Madrid, Spain

A college student slipped into a comatose state and nine others were hospitalized after ingesting a cake baked with marijuana in Madrid. The Associated Press reports that the man was unresponsive when first taken to Puerta de Hierro de Majadahonda Hospital, but later regained consciousness. A hospital official confirmed that he entered a comatose state, but refused to offer additional details citing privacy concerns. It wasn't clear if the man's reaction was a direct result of the cake, but a total of 11 people had reactions to it, ten of whom were hospitalized. City spokesman Javier Chivite said the others were treated for irregular heartbeats. According to Alfonso X University dean Jose Dominguez de Posada, the students were all male and between the ages of 18 and 22-years-old.

Date: 2/15/14
Location: Denver

Banks have finally been given the greenlight to work with marijuana businesses. According to the Denver Post, both the U.S. Department of Justice and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network agree that the decision allows for "greater financial transparency." However, though banks are allowed to accept money from the legal marijuana industry, they are still required to fill out reports naming clients involved in practices classified as illegal by federal law. Furthermore, FinCEN believes this will allow authorities to better understand how the marijuana business operates. "Now that some states have elected to legalize and regulate the marijuana trade, FinCEN seeks to move from the shadows the historically covert financial operations of marijuana businesses," director Jennifer Shasky Calvery told the Post. Still, many banks are seeking legislative guidance from Congress before proceeding. "We're still not going to bank them," FirstBank executive vice president Jim Reuter said, adding that "there's simply too much at stake."

Date: 2/12/14
Location: Washington

Though legal, recreational marijuana still won't be on sale in Washington for a few months, the state has delivery services that will bring weed to your door. According to the Huffington Post, Seattle's Winterlife Coop Cannabis Delivery Service flashes its latest treats on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, even though the business operates outside of state and federal law because its unlicensed. Still, not even the threat of potential legal action could stop the business from adding its phone number to its website, or the owner from revealing his identity. In an interview with the Seattle Times, Evan Cox said he came forward because he doesn't think law enforcement will come after him. The Seattle Police Department told the Seattle Times that it probably wouldn't target Winterlife. "It undermines the spirit of the law. But like anything else, our department takes all the complaints and dedicates our resources in a way that makes sense and is going to be most impactful," Sgt. Sean Whitcomb explained. Meanwhile, Club Raccoons utilizes couriers to deliver its orders. The business, which provides the city's Capitol Hill area with weed, shares its numbers on its Twitter page. An owner told the Huffington Post that while patients don't have to be medical marijuana customers to purchase weed, they do have to be over the age of 21. All of this only helps build anticipation for recreational weed in Washington, which will launch this summer.

Date: 2/8/14
Location: Colorado

The first month of legal marijuana was successful in Colorado, so an increase in the popularity of edibles is only natural. The simultaneous demand for marijuana and baked goods has led to an increase in pot bakeries, particularly in Denver. According to the Daily Meal, Sweet Grass Kitchen has experienced a noticeable increase in orders despite the fact that their license to sell recreational marijuana hasn't even been processed yet. At Sweet Grass Kitchen, marijuana is infused into their sweet cream butter as opposed to injecting the butane hash oil. Owner Julie Berliner figures it's because people don't want to deal with the smoke or obvious smell. That's possible, but there's also the matter of potency. "Edibles in particular seem to be incredibly popular in the recreational market...even more so than the medical market," owner Berliner said. The Daily Meal adds that Sweet Grass Kitchen solved its demand issue by growing their own weed as opposed to dealing with a distributor. Business should continue to boom for the remainder of the year.

Date: 2/7/14
Location: Nashville, Tenn.

Postal workers in Nashville, Tenn. were inundated with phone calls from an annoying customer who was suspiciously eager to receive a package. After finally finding the package, they learned why the frequent caller wanted it so badly: It reeked of marijuana, because it contained 10 pounds of weed. The postal service called the police, who were waiting for 24-year-old Terrell Mills at the post office. Authorities also arrested 23-year-old Justin Deon Williams, who told them that he normally gets $100 a pound to pick up packages from the post office, but this time opted to pay Mills to do it. Both Williams and his girlfriend, Abby Trevino, 18, were charged with conspiring to possess marijuana for resale, while Mills was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell. They're all guilty of being idiots.

Date: 2/2/14
Location: England

The death of a British woman who passed away after falling asleep while smoking a joint in her room has once again sparked conversation about the "dangers" of marijuana. Though examiners found nothing wrong 31-year-old Gemma Moss's vital organs, they noted "moderate to heavy" levels of marijuana in her system. A coroner claimed that marijuana could've resulted in a heart attack which led to her death. According to her mother, Kim Furness, Moss used to smoke marijuana daily before quitting. She reportedly resumed the habit recently, and anti-drug groups are using her passing as the opportunity to speak about the alleged dangers of marijuana. "People think because cannabis is a plant it won't be dangerous, but it gives people a false sense of security," Lucy Dawe of Cannabis Skunk Sense said. However, this reveals nothing about the perils of marijuana. While tragic, this isolated incident where a woman died after smoking half a joint doesn't say much about how hazardous the drug is.

Date: 1/31/14
Location: Washington, D.C.

A woman in Southeast D.C. was shocked to find that she had received an express mail package containing over nine pounds of marijuana. According to D.C.-based ABC affiliate WJLA, the woman, whose identity was withheld to protect her, said her name was not on the package, though it contained the correct address. After signing for the package and opening it, she was surprised by the contents. "I said, 'what is this?'" she told WJLA. The package—which someone paid $85 to ship—contained bags of marijuana inside of multiple plastic containers. After contacting the U.S. Postal Inspector and the Metropolitan Police Department, the marijuana was removed from her home and Delmario Henry, 24, was arrested.

Date: 1/29/14
Location: Colorado

Legal weed sales in Colorado will take marijuana tourism to new plateaus this year. Spiro Tours, created by ex-New York City equity derivatives trader Nick Brown, will offer the world's first luxury cannabis tours. Brown explained the company's goals in a press release: Our brand new cannabis tours in Colorado are a world-first, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to remove ill-conceived and poorly constructed ideas about cannabis from the public perception. "We want to educate all of our clients, destigmatizing responsible cannabis usage and emphasizing that there is a safe, responsible way to explore this new world without the clich̩es and bad press." In addition to education about the culture (i.e., smoking a lot of weed), Spiro Tours wants to expose visitors to the five-star hotel experience, fine dining and seasonal gifts, depending on the time the visit. That could include skiing or visiting Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which is one of the best concert venues in the world.

Date: 1/29/14
Location: Seattle

You know that old saying, "You're nobody 'til somebody loves you"? Well, in today's sports world, you're nobody until somebody names a strain of marijuana after you. Seriously. Everyone from Jeremy Lin to the Manning brothers have had a strain named after them in the past. And recently, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch became the latest athlete to have a strain of weed named after him when somebody created a strain called—what else?—"Beast Mode." The marijuana was created by a medical marijuana dispensary in Seattle called the Queen Anne Cannabis Club. And as you would probably imagine, the Marshawn Lynch brand of weed is very, very, very potent. Much like Lynch himself, it starts off a little slow. But within just a few minutes, it's guaranteed to smack you across the face. "It's extremely strong," Queen Anne Cannabis Club owner Nate "Diggity" Johnson told the Seattle Times. "Marshawn has gears when he's running and it's kind of like that. It has a little bit of a slow start and then kicks in." Weirdly, the strain of weed was going to be called "Girl Scout Cookies" when it was originally created. But the first time Johnson tried it, he realized that the name was not appropriate, given how strong the weed was. "It hit me like Beast Mode," he said. So there you go. Marshawn Lynch got an endorsement deal with Skittles and his own strain of marijuana.

Date: 1/27/14
Location: Benicia, Calif.

A California elementary school teacher was arrested after she allegedly brought marijuana-infused food to a potluck dinner with her colleagues. After a six-week investigation, 47-year-old Teresa Gilmete Badger was arrested by the Benicia Police Department. According to a police statement, Badger, a teacher at Matthew Turner Elementary School in Benicia, Calif., brought the edibles to an after-hours gathering at the end of November. CNN reported that at least two of the attendees were rushed to the hospital due to severe reactions and at least one of them tested positive for THC. Authorities also say that a 15-year-old fell ill after one of the party goers brought leftovers home from the party. Badger reportedly told others that she was responsible for bringing the edibles. She was taken to Solano County Jail where her bail was set at $15,000.

Date: 1/26/14
Location: Aspen, Colo.

If you get busted with weed at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, authorities will take your weed, but there probably won't be any legal consequences. According to the Denver Post, TSA confiscated 36 ounces of weed-infused snacks from a traveler's luggage earlier this week. The case was passed along to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office, which refused to press charges because marijuana is now legal under state law. However, sheriff's spokesman Brad Gibson said that passenger's are at the mercy of federal law once they're in the air. Though the feds don't plan to take legal action, the incident has revealed a blurred line where county authority over the airport ends and federal power starts. However, as Aspen attorney Lauren Maytin told the Post, the reasons federal agencies aren't pressed about cases like this is because they're a waste of time. "Unless you're talking about major poundage, they're turning it over to the local authorities, and the locals are saying, 'It's legal'" she explained. There are definitely more pressing matters.

Date: 1/24/14
Location: New York City

One New York City "underground supper club" is aiming high with its goal of joining the city's elite ranks. Sinsemil.la plans to reach for the stars by incorporating marijuana into the fine dining experience. "Marijuana varietals are tested not just for their organic qualities, but specifically to balance the flavors of each dish and for their psychoactive properties throughout the flow of the dinner." Sinsemil.la isn't about getting high—it is about haute cuisine. The spring tasting menu includes cold-smoked Peconic Bay scallop crudo complete with chorizo, OG Kush oil, fresh coriander and lemon, which sounds like something that must be tried at least once. Dinner will start at 4:20. Get prepared for the future.

Date: 1/24/14
Location: N/A

The marijuana industry just got a huge assist from the Department of Justice, which will soon allow banks and marijuana shops to do business without fear of federal racketeering charges and robbery. Attorney General Eric Holder said that the Obama administration will soon introduce regulation that will let marijuana-related businesses make cash deposits. On Jan. 1, the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes became legal in Colorado, generating over $5 million worth of sales during the first week of legalization. However, banks have not allowed many businesses to make cash deposits; when they do, it's typically into personal accounts, which often triggers investigations. This new development, which coincides with President Obama's assertion that weed isn't all that bad, will alleviate safety concerns from businesses who have been forced to carry unsafe amounts of cash around. The marijuana industry should be treated like an industry. At the end of the day, green is the priority.

Date: 1/23/14
Location: Indiana

The state of Indiana is pretty intense when it comes to marijuana, applying some of the harshest laws in the U.S. However, someone in Indiana seems to have seen the light, as the state is considering decriminalizing marijuana in small amounts. According to current state law, possession of even half a gram of weed is punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to a year in jail. However, Sen. Karen Tallian introduced a new bill that would make possession of under two ounces an offense similar to a parking violation. Tallian's bill has gained support from those who believe it will free up tax dollars and allow law enforcement to devote their attention to more serious crime. A poll shows that the majority of residents favor decriminalization, but the bill may have a difficult time getting passed because state legislature failed to pass something similar last year and the year before. Furthermore, Gov. Mike Pence—who thinks weed is a "gateway drug"—is not in favor of lowering drug penalties. Hopefully, people will realize that it's not worth the time and waste of resources to levy such harsh penalties against people caught with small amounts of weed.

Date: 1/21/14
Location: Marianna, Fla.

Junior college basketball recruit Cinmeon Bowers committed to Florida State back in September 2013, but following his arrest Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton had to reconsider whether or not Bowers was a good fit for the Florida State program. So what did Bowers do? Well, according to the Marianna Police Department in Marianna, Fla., Bowers was riding in a car with two of his teammates from Chipola College when they were pulled over for speeding. And when a police officer approached their car, he smelled marijuana. However, he did not find any physical evidence of marijuana in the car or on Bowers or his teammates. And that's because the three men allegedly ate the weed in an effort to hide it from police. They were not successful, though. A short time later, all three men were arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. They were later released but all three were suspended by Chipola.

Date: 1/16/14
Location: Westlake, Ohio

Nothing good can come out of agreeing to meet a group of teenagers in a parking lot to "practice medieval sword-fighting." Drug dealers Sebastian Wozniak and Anthony Klier explained to police in Westlake, Ohio that a band of teens robbed them after they met up for a sword-fighting session at a Taco Bell parking lot back on Sep. 4. They declined to disclose that their weed had been stolen, but authorities quickly figured out that it was a failed drug deal, because why else would anyone admit to something so ridiculously lame? Anyway, the police determined that Wozniak and Klier got into a car with the teens to sell them $80 worth of weed. One of the bold kids pepper-sprayed Wozniak, snatched the weed and darted off. Wozniak and Klier were both arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana and obstructing justice. Meeting at a neutral place for a drug deal is probably a good gesture, but don't let some kids get the drop on you while you're playing Game of Thrones.

Date: 1/15/14
Location: N/A

Colorado and Washington's decision to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes has resulted in a lot of awkward, yet hilarious weed coverage. One early nugget of excellence is Anderson Cooper making fun of fellow CNN anchor and correspondent Randi Kaye for catching a contact high during a segment of the network's "Gone to Pot" series. During the Ridiculist portion of AC360, Cooper goes in on Kaye for perhaps enjoying her time in Colorado a little too much. Kaye, her ear-to-ear grin and all, eventually admitted to being high off contact at one point during her travels. Cooper was convinced she was high when they spoke, which she very well could've been. Cooper's weed puns ("got in contact with some sources"; "joint investigation") are about as entertaining as watching Kaye—who, at one point, was glowing like 17-year-old who just did her first bong rip—hold an eighth of weed or say "sativa" and "indica." Kaye even mentioned seeing joints that were "the size of small cannons," which drew Cooper's infamous giggles.

Date: 1/13/14
Location: N/A

Colorado's power move to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes raked in over $5 million during the first week of sales, yet banks are still frowning upon the money. To them, drug money is still drug money. Many institutions won't create accounts for marijuana businesses because even though weed is legal in the state, they're still unsure if banking regulations will permit it. The New York Times adds that marijuana is still classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, a classification reserved for the most dangerous drugs. The last thing banks want is to get spanked by the feds, especially over weed. This has prompted the state to reach out to the Treasury and Justice Departments because businesses have been forced to pay employees in straight cash and carry "Chipotle and Nordstrom bags" filled with "thousands of dollars in $10 and $20 bills to supermarkets to buy money orders." That simply isn't safe. Legitimate businesses are living in fear of being robbed of their product like dealers lived in fear of Omar Little on The Wire. Whether people are ready to accept it or not, the marijuana industry has to be treated as just that—an industry.

Date: 1/12/14
Location: Colorado

Colorado's 420 mile marker sign has been a popular target for thieves. So popular, in fact, that the Colorado Department of Transportation decided to do something about it, changing it to read "419.99." The alteration was done around the same time marijuana was legalized for recreational purposes in the state. According to 9News, images of the sign—which is located on Interstate 70—made their way around Twitter. The state transportation department is satisfied with their move, so far. "So this is our way to test it out. So far it's working," spokesperson Amy Ford explained. "It's a traffic safety thing. It's a helpful thing to have these signs on the road. But people kept ripping them off." From a thief's perspective, it was kind of a collector's item and would've been even more coveted this year. However, the change might've made the 419.99 sign more of a commodity—now, it's like a special edition sign. 9News also mentioned that people enjoyed stealing the 69 mile marker sign, because people are ridiculously immature.

Date: 1/10/14
Location: N/A

Something good came out of New York State Assemblyman Steve Katz being arrested for marijuana possession last March, aside from the comeuppance that accompanies exposed hypocrisy. Katz is no longer a closeted marijuana supporter, and his open love of weed has made him a pot tourist. Yes, he's one of the people who visited Colorado in the wake of legalization. Katz reportedly visited Colorado to learn about the new, extremely popular industry, but not to indulge (so he says). His takeaway? That there's a lot of money to be made, and that New York should probably get on board. "Extrapolate [the $5 million made during the first week of legalization] to New York, where we are so starving for revenue," he told the Journal News. "It could be a real revenue generator for our state. How do you turn that away right now, when every single indicator shows that medical marijuana has compounds that absolutely can help people?" Two more good things that weed can do: Open eyes and make people believers.

Date: 1/10/14
Location: Boulder, Colo.

Businesses in Colorado are embracing the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, and with good reason. Boulder, Colo.'s Hapa Sushi introduced a pairing menu featuring five strains of weed and accompanying food. The restaurant has a long, warm history with smokers, which it celebrated with its "Happy Legalization" campaign. The menu is apparently just part of the celebration. Hapa Sushi first endeared itself to the stoner faction in 2009 when medical marijuana was legalized by anointing itself the perfect munchies remedy. While Hapa Sushi isn't actually a marijuana vendor, it can be the perfect compliment to your preferred weed selection.

Date: 1/9/14
Location: Alaska

Alaska just took another step in following the footsteps laid out by Colorado and Washington. CNN reports that Campaign to Regulate Marijuana, a citizens' group in Alaska, is on a mission to have marijuana legalized for recreational purposes. Needing 30,000 verified signatures to make it onto the August state ballot, it handed over upwards of 45,000 to election officials. "The proposed initiative will take marijuana sales out of the underground market and put them in legitimate, taxpaying businesses," sponsor Tim Hinterberger explained. The proposal would permit adults 21 and over to legally grow, purchase and consume marijuana. Current Alaska law allows anyone with a medical marijuana prescription to legally grow up to six marijuana plants or posses up to an ounce. According to CNN, Hinterberger believes that this new initiative will give medicinal users more access, as well as open the door for recreational use. However, opponents are sticking to the typical argument regarding health concerns, as well as that good ol' "marijuana is a gateway drug" script. Colorado sold over $5 million worth of weed during its first week of legalization. Money talks, and makes other people listen. Alaska seems to be paying attention.

Date: 1/8/14
Location: Colorado

History was made when Colorado legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes, with $1 million worth being sold on the first day of legalization alone. According to the Huffington Post, upwards of $5 million worth of legal weed was sold in the state during the first week of the new initiative.The state projects that legalization will result in $600 million worth of combined retail and wholesale marijuana sales this year, including $67 million in tax revenue. Larger shops sold between 50 and 60 pounds of marijuana during the opening week, while smaller shops sold between 20 and 30 pounds. Owners add that sales have tapered off since the historic opening day, accounting for half of the sales volume. Store owners also claim that reports of a weed shortage due to high demand are simply rumors. Smoke on, Colorado. Keep spending money while you're at it.

Date: 1/6/14
Location: N/A

Colorado's legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes opened the door for a ton of money to be made, as well as people firing off ridiculous theories about its outcomes or potential dangers. Enter Pat Buchanan, right on schedule. During a segment from The McLaughlin Group, Buchanan told host John McLaughlin that the end of "pot prohibition" would usher in "more potheads, and more high school dropouts and more automobile accidents involving marijuana." He also views legalization as an open invitation for Mexican drug cartels to enter the business, a sentiment that drew the best smug "FOH" face ever from Washington Monthly Editor in Chief Paul Glastris.

Date: 1/6/14
Location: Colorado

When it was announced that Colorado would legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes in 2014, the question on everyone's mind was what would happen if the demand kicked the supply's ass? According to Time, many of the state's marijuana shops are facing weed sellouts in the wake of legalization's success. Time claims that two stores that sold a combined $87,000 worth of weed on the first day of legalization say their supply will be finished if that type of demand maintains. Furthermore, 3D Cannabis Center (site of the first sale) owner Toni Fox told the Gazette that a sellout was inevitable. "We are going to run out," Fox said on the second day of legalization if sales continued at that rate. Aside from the frenzy for legal weed that's amplified by pot tourists, Time notes that strict regulation on marijuana growth and distribution could also affect the supply. It's unlikely that every shop is going to run out (some had to be prepared for this response; it is legal weed, after all), but a shortage could drive anyone who right back into the eager, smug embrace of their local weed man. That is, assuming they abandoned him in the first place.

Date: 1/3/14
Location: Colorado

The response to the first day of legal weed in Colorado was overwhelmingly positive. According to Colorado's 9 News, marijuana shops across the state did record numbers on day one, raking in over $ 1 million. Smokers, who can now be referred to as "shoppers," came out in droves to legally purchase marijuana for recreational purposes, long lines be damned. Andre Barr, who journeyed from Niles, Mich., said the wait "[was] nothing," as he was just happy to be a part of history. Of the 24 weed shops that were open in Colorado, the bulk of them were located in Denver. With the exception of the aforementioned long lines and the occasional instance of public smoking, there was no conflict.The state estimates that weed sales could amount to $600 million by year's end, including $67 million in taxes.

Date: 1/1/14
Location: Denver

As you've probably heard, marijuana became legally available for purchase in Colorado. Many have been curious as to how the first day of legal weed would go in the state, but a better question is who would be the first person to buy legal, recreational weed thanks to Amendment 64. Iraq war veteran Sean Azzariti will forever be remembered as that person. At an 8 a.m. press event, Azzariti purchased 3.5 grams of Bubba Kush from Denver's 3D Cannabis Center, as well as some weed-infused truffles. He spent $59.74 total (tax included), and the Denver Post's John Ingold tweeted out his receipt, which should probably be framed somewhere. This is history; let this sink in.