Immigration reform is gearing up for a fight.

The sales pitch for medical marijuana is rooted in claims of compassion and healing. It's also a budding commercial enterprise that relentlessly presses the legal system.

Since 1997, prescription pot has become a $1 billion-a-year industry in California. Though nominally a "not-for-profit" business, cannabis growers and dispensers find ways to make their efforts pay off.

Operating in 14 states, marijuana growers and dispensers are banking on wholesale legalization to yield bigger profits in the years ahead. Corporate stock pickers have taken note.

A survey of the nation's largest metropolitan centers delivered dreary news for the Sunshine State -- particularly the West Coast.

None of the eight Florida markets rated higher than middle of the pack in terms of economic performance, and five ranked among the weakest in the country.

A cluster of three of those weakest metro markets -- Tampa, Bradenton and Fort Myers -- spurred concern that Florida's West Coast remains mired in recession.

Two measures changing the rules of the game for gambling interests in the state passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Wednesday, potentially kicking off a new round of gambling fights in this year's session.

It's not clear whether the odds are in favor of either bill; Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, was largely ambivalent about both when asked about them Wednesday, and neither bill's House companion has been scheduled for a hearing yet.