California was the first state to allow medical marijuana. Now, two decades later, voters are expected to be asked whether to legalize recreational use of the drug.

To hear Troy Dayton tell it, California is on the brink of a gold rush — or, more specifically, a green rush. While insiders are working behind the scenes to put the question of recreational marijuana to voters on the November ballot, investors and business owners throughout the Golden State are getting ready to jump into the recreational pot business.

Some growers hope to market to consumers across California through a legally defined and protected geographical identification system similar to what’s used in the wine industry.

KRON4’s Maureen Kelly got an inside look at a lab in Berkeley that is believed to be the first permitted marijuana manufacturing company in California.

And if California votes to legalize, other states will follow.

And if California votes to legalize, other states will follow.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Thanks to changing federal and state regulations, the marijuana industry in California is booming. And now women are taking the lead and breaking through the "grass ceiling."

County will decide the fate of some dispensaries soon.

County will decide the fate of some dispensaries soon.

A plan backed by Silicon Valley billionaire Sean Parker to legalize recreational use of marijuana in California is on the path to the November ballot, potentially bringing more than $1bn a year in tax revenue, according to legislative analysts.

A plan backed by Silicon Valley billionaire Sean Parker to legalize recreational use of marijuana in California is on the path to the November ballot, potentially bringing more than $1bn a year in tax revenue, according to legislative analysts.

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Ever since Californians voted to legalize marijuana, more people are embracing it – especially women.

If Dr. Larry Bedard has his way, Marin General Hospital would become the first acute-care medical center in California to allow patients to openly consume medical marijuana in the hospital.

If Dr. Larry Bedard has his way, Marin General Hospital would become the first acute-care medical center in California to allow patients to openly consume medical marijuana in the hospital.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who has proposed liberalizing his country's drug laws, privately asked California lawmakers visiting Mexico about a state measure to legalize recreational marijuana, a state legislator said on Thursday.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who has proposed liberalizing his country's drug laws, privately asked California lawmakers visiting Mexico about a state measure to legalize recreational marijuana, a state legislator said on Thursday.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Friday she plans to vote for California's Proposition 64, making her one of a small number of high-level politicians to support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Friday she plans to vote for California's Proposition 64, making her one of a small number of high-level politicians to support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

Lori Ajax has two years to set up California’s first system to license, regulate and tax medical marijuana. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed the Republican to become the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

Lori Ajax has two years to set up California’s first system to license, regulate and tax medical marijuana. Gov. Jerry Brown recently appointed the Republican to become the first chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

This is an ambitious undertaking for the Oakland Museum of California, but it comes at the right time and in the right place.

For Californians resolved to one day entering a dispensary and purchasing pre-rolled joints or marijuana-infused cookies — all for recreational use — a high-profile ally who lives 3,000 miles away has emerged.

For Californians resolved to one day entering a dispensary and purchasing pre-rolled joints or marijuana-infused cookies — all for recreational use — a high-profile ally who lives 3,000 miles away has emerged.

This year marked a turning point for marijuana, both as a cultural movement and as an industry.

California will need extensive regulatory oversight for cultivation, distribution and sales for pot intended for both social and medical use if voters approve recreational use of marijuana this year, according to a leading public policy group.

California will need extensive regulatory oversight for cultivation, distribution and sales for pot intended for both social and medical use if voters approve recreational use of marijuana this year, according to a leading public policy group.

"I would look and I would think to myself what can I put here? What can we do? It hit me. This could be a medical marijuana facility."

Is it a high-end cafe? Is it a grocery store? Nope, it’s a medical marijuana dispensary.

San Diego legalized recreational pot dispensaries on Tuesday and the city also opened up the possibility it will allow pot farms, manufacturing facilities and testing labs.

Real estate broker Marty Higgins disliked the head shop vibe on his trips to local medical marijuana dispensaries, so he created an upscale dispensary, Harvest on Geary Boulevard, that opened in the spring. Last week, he went even more posh, announcing the creation of San Francisco’s first private cannabis club.

Snoop Dogg, Too $Short, and Quincy Jones make key appearances in one of the first and most powerful new campaign videos for the California initiative to legalize marijuana in the November 8 general election.

California’s Proposition 64, which decriminalizes marijuana and reinvests in the communities most impacted by racist drug policies, is arguably one of the most significant criminal justice policy shifts in a generation for Latinos.

California’s Proposition 64, which decriminalizes marijuana and reinvests in the communities most impacted by racist drug policies, is arguably one of the most significant criminal justice policy shifts in a generation for Latinos.

As the first city in Southern California to legalize large-scale medical marijuana cultivation, Desert Hot Springs has been inundated by marijuana growers and developers.

In some ways, the Emerald Exchange is like other farmer’s markets one might find in L.A.’s more upscale and bohemian neighborhoods.

As California seeks to regulate its medical marijuana economy, as well as set rules for personal cultivation, a March 1 deadline is making scores of cities and counties paranoid about how to govern pot.

As California seeks to regulate its medical marijuana economy, as well as set rules for personal cultivation, a March 1 deadline is making scores of cities and counties paranoid about how to govern pot.