Legalizing cannabis use is one thing, but there's always a rule needing to be tweaked.  There are hundreds of people across the country spending time talking to lawmakers about changes, adjustments, and overall justice for those who are legitimately using marijuana and hemp.

This week, we speak to a couple of people very familiar with these efforts, because they've been a part of the constant struggle to make sure lawmakers have all the information.

As the President is still trying to figure out what he's going to do about legal cannabis, he recently hosted a cannabis-themed summit at one of his hotels.  It's strange, and somewhat confusing, but welcome to politics in 2017.

This week, we talk about some new laws on the books that may or may not be friendly to legal cannabis users and legit business owners.  We also talk about the hurdles that remain, like banking services.

When you think of marijuana and the movies, what comes to mind?  You likely answered "Cheech and Chong."

No offense to those trailblazers, but does portraying marijuana users as "stoners" do the movement any good in the age of legalized cannabis?  There are some interesting arguments that go both ways on that question.

A couple of movie producers join us this week to talk about their movies and shows featuring cannabis, and their theories as to how pot should, and should not, be portrayed.

Move over maple leaf, here comes a different kind of leaf.  Cannabis is about to be legal at the federal level in Canada...from sea to shining sea.

Does Canada's nod impact things here?  We'll offer some perspective on this, and we continue to ponder what could be next from the Trump administration regarding legal cannabis, and the threat of a crackdown.

So, what does mom think about you and your cannabis?  Maybe she approves, perhaps she isn't a fan, and just maybe you don't care what she thinks.

This episode isn't about mom, rather, it's about being able to have a logical conversation about something that's legal with a close family member.  You may just find out in the end that the two of you really aren't that far apart.

Which is exactly what we discovered on this episode.

What exactly are the feds thinking when it comes to the future of cannabis?  This week, we meet a man who does a job funded by the federal government.  This same man is also involved in enforcement of drug laws.

A member of the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area is at the table.  It's really interesting to ask questions we've never been able to ask before, and we think you'll find it interesting as well. 

A couple of weeks ago, we set the scene for a conversation between a retired police captain and a retired naval captain.  One is pro pot, the other, against.  The idea being it's always good to try and understand where the "other" side is coming from.

So, this week, the two captains face-off.  The idea isn't to convince the other he's right, it's merely to clearly understand the arguments of those for and against the non-medicinal use of cannabis.

It's a debate that's been around for a while, but now, with so many states legalizing cannabis, the problem seems to be worse.  The government is testing cannabis, but only cannabis grown is special facilities.

The issue:  The quality and potency of government grown marijuana is nothing like what's found in stores and on the street.  Some say this makes the government's studies an exercise in futility.  Is it futile?  Enjoy our conversation as we explore this and other topics this week.

Just by nature of the show, the views expressed on Northwest Cannacast tend to lean pro-cannabis, as we try to offer information about its legal uses.  So, beginning with this episode, we try to understand the perspective of someone who does not approve of non-medicinal use of pot.

There's so much intolerance in the world today, it seems like the pro-pot movement could at least try and understand why there are those still opposed to its use.  This episode is designed for those of you who struggle to communicate with someone who doesn't share your view.

Are you sure you know the difference between hemp and pot?  There are similarities and differences, and this week on the Cannacast, we dig a little deeper into the world of hemp.

Longtime advocate and supporter Vivian McPeak is part of the conversation as we also discuss hemp laws, and how the could both hurt and help legal cannabis.