The booming business of cannabis

The marijuana business is big, and is only forecast to grow larger. Private equity firm Privateer Holdings estimates the market for marijuana and related products, both legal and illegal, could be as big as $50 billion in the U.S. and $200 billion worldwide. For now the biggest problem facing pot entrepreneurs is financial services because cannabis is not legal at the federal level. Take a closer look at the growing cannabis industry from the Marijuana Business Conference and Expo in Las Vegas earlier this month.

—CNBC's Harriet Taylor
Posted 23 Nov. 2014

One challenge for cannabis start-ups is to keep up to date on packaging and dosage rules, which can be revised. Such changes can cost small businesses thousands of dollars.

Leafly is an app that bills itself as the "Yelp of cannabis." Users can comparison shop among vendors. Leafly investor Brendan Kennedy of Privateer Holdings says the company is on track for about $1 million a month in revenue.

Bud Bar creates displays and containers designed exclusively for medical marijuana dispensaries and cannabis shops in the U.S. and Canada.

Dixie Elixirs & Edibles sells premium infused marijuana products. Based in Colorado, the company has grown quickly with the state's legalization of recreational marijuana in January 2014.

Aessense Corporation develops wireless growth systems and greenhouse tools for indoor commercial cannabis growers.

Start-up Futurola makes smoking products and equipment, straight from Amsterdam. Products include rolling papers, filtertips, cones, tubes, rolling machines and grinders.

Growers Supply aims to be a one-stop shop for marijuana growers. The company supplies growing products to master gardeners, commercial growers and nursery owners.

marQaha creates and sells marijuana infused drinks, edibles and other medicinal products for dispensaries. The company takes its namefrom the Arabic word that refers to the "bliss" felt while drinking coffee.

Ben & Jerry's co-Founder Ben Cohen recently told CNBC, "My hope would be that this industry is not taken over by existing big businesses, but that the businesses here remain independent and that they become the big businesses of tomorrow."