What would Donald Trump do? Probably not vape in his hotel

The annual Marijuana Business Conference in Las Vegas, running through Friday at the Rio, is in many ways a metaphor for the burgeoning legal cannabis industry.

On one hand, it’s a professional, suit-and-tie business conference — with important meetings, industry-reshaping deals and big announcements on deck. On the other, it’s a friggin’ party — with sponsored parties, sponsored afterparties and unofficial after-afterparties with legal cannabis CEOs and their staffs smoking, vaporizing and eating pot all over the Strip and hashtagging their photos“#whathappensinvegas.”

Nevada could soon become the 5th state to legalize recreational marijuana, after the state was named one of the most likely to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016.  

One year from now, local voters will take to the polls to cast their votes.

Robert Calkin is the CEO of Cannibus Career Institute, and has over 30 years experience in the marijuana industry.  He thinks Nevada could be the next state to legalize marijuana recreationally.

"Nevada has always been an expert in creating businesses that were difficult in creating business models for," says Calkin.

The 2016 recreational marijuana initiative is already on the ballot, meaning Nevada residents will vote on it one year from now.

Black Dog LED's grow light stood out like a beaming purple beacon. It was bright, it was unusual, and company founder Cory Drew said it worked on many levels.

Cannabis plants need photons, and so do conventioneers.

The fourth annual Marijuana Business Conference and Expo opened its floor at the Rio on Wednesday, attracting gaggles of badge-dangling, hand-shaking conventioneers. Like every other conference, the expo, which continues through Friday and is closed to the public, teemed with information sharing and dealmaking. Unlike other shows, this one had premium fertilizer, displays of edible cannabis treats, vapor pens and Black Dog's passer-by-magnet light.

On November 12th from 4-5PM, Steve DeAngelo helps lead one of the most important discussions at the 4th annual Marijuana Business Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, NV. From the Brink to the Breakthrough: Industry Pioneers Share Lessons from the Trenches: Most companies face major obstacles during their lifecycle, some of which bring the business to the edge of failure. This trend has proven especially true for cannabusiness owners. Hear from industry pioneers Steve DeAngelo, Greta Carter and Tripp Keber to learn what it took to survive their defining moments and how they persevered through the toughest times – and how you can, too.

The JOBS Act is providing brand-new chances to purchase legal marijuana. Learn how you can buy front of the curve.

CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2015/ Weed Wire/– The Cannabis Development Capital Conference will bring the best public and private investment companies in the industry together at the Westgate Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nov. 10-11.

Produced by the team that created the Marijuana Financier Top, which has been resoundingly effective in Denver, Portland and Los Angeles, the Cannabis Development Capital Conference offers attendees the chance to find out where the most appealing and intriguing financial investments lie.

The Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe of Nevada and Oregon announced on Wednesday their intent to enter the medical marijuana industry with a new cultivation facility.

Tribal leadership decided to enter the medical marijuana marketplace after “much deliberation and discussion,” according to Tildon Smart, chairman of the tribe.

“There are no jobs,” Smart said. “There’s nothing really out here for us. This is a way to bring wellness back into our community.”

“Pot Baron” Tripp Keber, the CEO of Dixie Brands who has been called the “Willie Wonka of Weed” by some, was the cover story on the September edition of mg Magazine, an impressive new cannabis-industry focused endeavor by CANN Media. Thomas Hymes does a masterful job of capturing Keber’s persona and describing the challenges and opportunities for the maker of premium infused marijuana products. Dixie Brands has expanded from its home state of Colorado to California recently, but the company is preparing for a broader expansion:

SPARKS, Nev. -- Donald Trump softened his tone on marijuana legalization on Thursday, saying at a political rally that states should be allowed to legalize marijuana if they chose to do so. Trump reaffirmed that he supports making medical marijuana available to patients who are very sick.

"In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state," Trump said while taking a handful of questions during a political rally at a casino outside Reno on Thursday afternoon.

Grammy Award winning musician, marriage-equality activist, and now cannabis advocate and businesswoman, Melissa Etheridge will be among 20 cannabis entrepreneurs pitching their businesses to more than 200 high net worth investors from around the world at the ArcView Investor Network Forum in Las Vegas on November 9th.

As marijuana legalization continues to expand at a state level, businesses are experiencing explosive growth and demand. The publishers of Marijuana Business Daily project the MJ Industry GNP will be between$23-29 Billion in 2019 and at approximately $11B for 2015.