Why do I get shocked every time I'm in Las Vegas?

I visit Vegas at least once a year. Many times when I walk down the halls of the hotel(s) I am in, the smell of marijuana will waft out of rooms. I assume at one time, like in the ‘60s and the early ‘70s, this might have got you kicked out and maybe even smacked around a bit. At what point did this change? The eighties/nineties? When corporations took over ownership from the mob? Also, what role did Hunter Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" play in widening the definition of "partying" in Vegas.

Have Las Vegas home prices bottomed out yet?

Your answer about buying a condo at a condo-hotel (QoD 11/13) got me thinking. Maybe it’s time to buy a casino. Not for myself. I probably couldn’t pass the regulator’s background check (there’s an indiscretion in my past that resulted in a dishonorable discharge). But with valuations in the toilet and the big companies in 11-figure debt, what casinos do you think you could pick up for dirt cheap?

On my Internet homepage today, they listed the 25 most dangerous zipcode areas. It seems three in Las Vegas made the list. Could you please tell me how close they are to the Strip? I never felt uncomfortable walking the Strip, but am a little concerned now. I vacation there once a year. I love the town.

I figure it’s a good time to buy a condo at a hotel in Vegas at a reasonable price. Especially at the Signature at MGM. How does the whole thing work? If I purchase one and own it, does it mean I can live there permanently if I wanted to or is it like a timeshare thing? Also if someone "moves out," does a real-estate agent handle the selling and buying of the condo or is that all done by the property (MGM Grand)?

Quite some time ago I sent some pictures of a guy that Pam Goertler had found at a DI golf tournament schmoozing with celebrities. No one knew who he was, including you folks. Now I think someone may have solved the mystery...

I just had a dear friend pass away. His favorite place to go was Las Vegas. I would like to know if there is some way to honor his memory there? I vaguely recall a past QOD about either buying a brick at the Flamingo or something about a bulb in the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Can you please help?

We really enjoyed the backstage tour of Bally’s Jubilee show using the LVA coupon last year. Do any other shows offer special backstage tours? We are spending 10 days in LV in August and have seen all the shows already. We would like to try more backstage-type activities.

In a recent cab ride to downtown from the Strip, we passed an interesting building that was all steel and seemed to partially have collapsed on itself. The cab driver said it was art. What can you tell me about the building and who is the artist. Is it possible to show a picture of the building?