This Forbes article reminds us of how much progress marijuana – especially medical marijuana – has made. Call it a "timely reminder" – especially for investors, as we discuss farther down (see link at the end of this article).

The article points out that in the recent election, California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Maine legalized pot for recreational use.

The news is even better from an informal standpoint, as the article points out that states maintaining marijuana's illegality are often "looking the other way" when it comes to use, and certainly medical use.

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The reality is that there is no common sense argument that allows for cigarettes and alcohol to be legal while marijuana is not. Both cigarettes and alcohol are verifiably more harmful than marijuana.

Those most strongly opposed to legalizing marijuana object because of money, not the health or welfare of society. The tobacco and alcohol industries lobby heavily against legalizing marijuana because it threatens their respective monopolies on our vices.

Law enforcement and the prison industry are opposed to legalizing marijuana because it would impact the ability to cash in on a steady flow of inmates charged with petty possession.

These are great points, showing clearly that the "moral" argument against marijuana has vanished.

It used to be that marijuana opponents argued against it because it supposedly supported all sorts of vice and general bad behaviors.

But now marijuana supports have been successful in informing the public of the plants many health benefits. In fact, more and more, it is seen as a medicinal herb rather than a "drug."

Results bear out the positives of marijuana legalization.  Colorado, for instance, has done well since it legalized pot. Stores employ thousands and tax receipts add up significantly. Additionally, law enforcement can refocus on violent crimes.

The article doesn't just remind us of marijuana's recent progress. It also points out that over time marijuana will create "tech  opportunities."

It mentions a company called ShowGrow and relates comments from its young CEO David Barakett.

Barakett we learn, is able to "remotely monitor and manage his crop thanks to technology."

These include "soil temperature, soil salinity, soil moisture, air temperature, CO2 levels, humidity, lighting, irrigation inputs, and fertilizer inputs."

But ShowGrow isn't just utilizing its technology. It has licensed it and begun to market it to other growers as a turnkey approach to marijuana cultivation.

It may seem as if marijuana legalization is not progressing quickly in the US. But in fact, unheralded, it continues to overcome both enemies and critics.