There are so many game-changers on the horizon that sometimes it's difficult to keep up.

Artificial intelligence. Self-driving cars. Virtual reality. Breakthroughs in energy storage. All of these can upend the status quo and change our daily lives for the better.

But cannabis, the plant from which marijuana is derived, is in a class by itself.

It already exists.

We have the compound in a useful form. It doesn't need enhancements, tweaks, or new formulations. Its potential simply needs to be unleashed.

I'm not talking about recreational pot, where people try to decide if they'd like to smoke, vape, or chew an edible to get high.

I'm talking about medical marijuana, which has burst on the scene just as our nation is about to feel the crush of caring for a rapidly aging population.

The demand for legal marijuana is here, it's growing, and it will continue to rise.

As more states allow medical and recreational use of marijuana, we'll analyze more data on how consumers can use the substance to improve their health. Consumers will change their buying patterns, creating winners and losers, and it's all starting right now.

With greater utilization of medical marijuana, patients will find more relief and spend less than they would on expensive prescription drugs. This growth could more than double the number of jobs in an industry that already employs about 150,000 people.

It's fascinating to watch a fresh industry grow, thrive, and offer an entire generation a viable pain remedy alternative … but is it enough to justify buying stock in a marijuana-related company right now?

In our latest infographic Is the Grass Getting Greener? We dive deeper into this issue and take a closer look at some of the numbers that could help or hinder the growth of marijuana as a practical investment opportunity.

There's no question medical marijuana is an industry on the rise, but what roadblocks could be keeping investors on the sidelines… and what related opportunities are currently presenting themselves?