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Pot entrepreneurs pitch to investors in 'Shark Tank' style

Posted at 6:42 PM, Nov 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-14 11:16:32-05

An event modeled after "Shark Tank" is bringing out a lot of people from the marijuana industry to Las Vegas.

The Arcview Forum, aimed to build up the cannabis small business community, is taking place at the M Resort in Henderson.

More than a dozen pot-entrepreneurs came to display their products and then pitch them 'shark tank' style.

Daniel Hood came to Las Vegas from California with his company Caligold, which makes cannabis-infused chocolate products.

Hood says he’s spent weeks preparing to enter the tank with his cannabis-infused chocolate products.

"We've got the sharks up there and we're preparing our pitch,’ says Hood. “We put a lot of time into it."

Just as much as the entrepreneurs gear up, the investors do, as well.

"There is a dynamic here that's very exciting as an investor," says Ruth Epstein.

Epstein spent years investing in banks, but now turning to cannabis to not only invest but also coach entrepreneurs.

 “The ability to get involved with a company at an early stage and be able to help them direct their actives has been extremely gratifying," says Epstein.

The entrepreneurs and investors alike say they cherish the opportunity to bring the cannabis community together.

"The networking and being a part of the community is really important for us," says Hood.

The Arcview Forum will wrap up Tuesday with another round of shark-tank style cannabis pitches and panel discussions from investors.