Marijuana convention gets underway in LA

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Thousands of people descended upon downtown Los Angeles for a massive marijuana expo.

The Cannabis World Congress and Business Exposition aims to educate those interested in joining or networking with the cannabis industry.

Many gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center to talk to lawyers, doctors and advocates about cannabis-based businesses.

Much of the talk also circulated around Proposition 64, which would make recreation marijuana legal in California.

The measure will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. Several advocates spoke in favor of the bill, including Montel Williams.

The former talk show host said he hoped people remembered those in need of marijuana for medical purposes.

"I use this for medication, I suffer from neuropathic pain, spasticity, I suffer from night tremors, and inflammation," Williams said. "There are certain strains that are not being processed right now for medical purposes because everyone wants to get high. I don't need to get high, I need to live my everyday like you do and other people do."

Williams became a medical marijuana patient back in 1999 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The expo runs through Saturday with a cannabis career fair ending the event in the afternoon.