Medicinal plants

The Lebanese government is milling a controversial idea: Taking over the illicit cannabis trade and developing a medicinal marijuana industry to help the country’s struggling economy.

Jamaica legalized medical marijuana and created a new licensing system to allow farmers to legally grow cannabis for medical, scientific or therapeutic purposes. But the fees are expensive and small farmers say they’re being left by the wayside.

The proposal at first was controversial because of the thriving illegal drug trade: Peru is the world’s second largest producer of coca leaves — the source plant for cocaine — and some worried that drug gangs would branch into the marijuana business.

The Tony Award-winning writer and performer (?Bridge & Tunnel?), briefs Kurt on her experiences at the Aspen Ideas Festival, a gathering of big thinkers to tackle big problems. Jones transforms from a self-deprecating Brit to a Jewish grandmother, to a young male rapper.

PRI’s Studio 360 has redesigned another of ideas and concepts, but their latest effort is their first effort to rebrand a product that has largely been illegal. We’re talking about marijuana, which has suddenly been leagalized in three states — and which Studio 360 suggests could use a new brand if it’s going to go mainstream nationally.