Washington, Apr 1 (ANI): A company that sells tools to grow cannabis, and is known as the 'Walmart of weed', is opening its latest branch in the US capital, just as Washington's medical marijuana laws come into effect.

WeGrow, which sells plant food and lighting, but no cannabis or seeds, to help cultivators grow medical marijuana, will open the branch just few miles away from the White House.

WeGrow's founder, Dhar Mann, said that he hopes his company will help create a 'green rush' by selling the equipment needed to grow cannabis at home.

The more that businesses start to push the envelope by showing that this is a legitimate industry, the further we're going to be able to go in changing people's minds, The BBC quoted Mann, as saying.

Medical marijuana is legal in 16 US states and Washington DC to treat conditions from back pain to HIV/Aids.

Officials from the District of Columbia were due to announce who is eligible to apply for a permit to grow and sell marijuana for medical purposes.

According to the report, despite medical marijuana laws, and decriminalisation of the drug in 14 states, federal law still bans its cultivation, sale and consumption.

The Obama administration has cracked down on medical marijuana dispensaries, leading some states to either delay or scale back their programmes. (ANI)