http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/10/01/journalisms-newest-beat-marijuana-critic/
October 1, 2009
By Steven Kurutz
On Tuesday, the Denver Westword, a respected alt-weekly, posted an
unusual job opening on its Web site. "Calling all potential pot
reviewers: Westword wants you!"
The ad went on to ask, "Do you have a medical condition that
necessitates marijuana? Do you have a way with words?" It turns out
the paper wants to hire someone to review the dozens of medical
marijuana dispensaries that have recently popped up in Colorado at
least 70 since January for a weekly on-line column, "Mile Highs and Lows."
The reviewer would work on a freelance basis and be "an objective
resource on the state's burgeoning medical marijuana scene,"
according to the classified ad. In this era of contracting newsrooms,
Westword is seemingly creating a new journalism beat: Pot Critic.
Whoever gets the job will have the terrain mostly to himself. A few
Web sites like Cannabis CoPilot offer cursory reviews, but even High
Times has yet to formally review a dispensary (the magazine is
working on an upcoming special issue that will provide a guide to the
medical marijuana scene, including reviews).
Westword has already published a few reviews by a fill-in critic; the
pieces mix basic information like hours of operation and "raw
marijuana price range" with a critical appraisal (of the facilities,
not the foliage). For instance, Patients Choice of Colorado on South
Broadway in Denver "offers strict but high-caliber service sort of
like the Ivy Leagues of dispensaries."
The rapid spread of marijuana dispensaries in Colorado is a serious
issue, but Westword is handling the search for a pot critic with
tongue firmly planted in cheek. They've asked candidates not to
submit resumes on rolling papers, for example. Editor Patricia
Calhoun said the paper is going about the process much as they did
when they hired their current food critic, by posting an ad and
asking for a sample review. "Our restaurant critic, Jason Sheehan,
won a James Beard award," Calhoun said. "We're hoping we'll have
similar success, although there don't seem to be as many rewards for
marijuana reviewers."
As with a dining or architecture critic, a background in the subject
helps but Calhoun said the paper is looking for someone who displays
a talent for writing and analytical thinking rather than getting
baked. In other words, she said, "You don't have to smoke pot for 30 years."
Calhoun is asking candidates to submit an essay on the subject of
what marijuana means to them, and hopes to pick a reviewer by next
week. "We'll see what we get," she said. "I know that within five
minutes of the posting, we already had an application which is very
fast turnaround for a stoner."
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