There may be no greater sign of marijuana's rising profile in the national economy than this: a company has announced medical marijuana will soon have its own pre-paid debit card.

To begin with, the card may only be used in medical marijuana dispensaries in California and Colorado, explained Commerce Online, a merchant processing company that is launching the card, but the company expects to expand its range.

"Fourteen states presently allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. California is unique among those for the widespread presence of dispensaries-businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dispensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the process of licensing providers," according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of marijuana use.