Counting highs
Happy 420. A dank cloud is wafting across the state in honor of marijuana legalization. Rocky Mountain PBS I-News has compiled a look at the legal pot trade a year-plus into Colorado’s great experiment. A sample of the ten entries: “698: There are 698 storefronts you can walk into to buy medical or retail marijuana as of this April 20, more than triple the number Starbucks (216) in the state.” Via The Durango Herald.
Behind closed doors
Yes, weed is legal in Colorado – but not in public. That doesn’t stop people from smoking it out and about, especially at 4/20 celebrations. And Colorado cops are having a blast citing stoners. Via The Associated Press.
Stoner-graphs
Speaking of weed, Westword put together this blunt slideshow from the 4/20 weekend rally at Civic Center Park.
Pot pie
A timely gem of a kicker by Public Editor Margaret Sullivan in her Sunday New York Times piece on print headlines versus online headlines: “Sometimes, all the elements come together in one that accomplishes both searchability and wordplay, as on a Colorado-based story about restaurants offering dishes cooked with marijuana: ‘Pot Pie, Redefined? Chefs Start to Experiment with Cannabis.’ In my Google search results for ‘restaurants and marijuana,’ it showed up high (which seemed appropriate).”
Rocket high
In a different sort of high, space-defense-programs financing plummeted after The Cold War. But as the United States shifts military spending from Afghanistan and Iraq back to Russia, space defense is once again en vogue. At least, so hope attendees of the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, who aren’t entirely disappointed by global violence. “I think all the things happening in the world, while unfortunate, are good for defense,” Air Force Maj. Gen. Irv Halter told The Gazette.
Dirty rats
Colorado law enforcement pays good money to confidential informants willing to rat on criminals. One problem: The informants don’t always tell the truth, according to the first part of a new Denver Post series.
Rest in public
Formerly homeless veteran John Claybaugh sent a letter to The Denver Post explaining why he think the state should pass The Right to Rest Act, a law designed to protect homeless people’s rights in public space. Tessa Cheek of The Colorado Independent profiled the law last week.
Photo Credit: MattyFlicks, Self-portrait, Creative Commons, Flickr.
