Cannabis Journalism: 4
Ricardo Baca
This morning we had a long awaited visit with Ricardo Baca, who is a marijuana editor at the Denver Post and The Cannabist. All week we have heard his name through other visitors. Baca is our first speaker’s, Jake Browne, boss at the Denver Post. Baca is a well known writer for both the Denver Post and The Cannabist focusing on marijuana, whether he likes it or not, is a public figure representing the industry. Seen earlier this week in class, Baca is a centerpiece to the upcoming documentary Rolling Papers, about the Denver Post and it’s relationship to the newly legalized marijuana laws, which airs in February of 2016! Check out the trailer!
You can also see Baca at work on the CANNABIST SHOW, where he invites different individuals to come and talk about their involvement with the cannabis industry in Denver. Jane West, Andrew Matranga, Julie Berliner have been some of his guests, just to name a few. Baca is a voice heard by many in the Denver area posting stories about important marijuana news.
Baca’s reporting experience has been filled with heavy topics as well. He spoke to us about the modern day nature of journalism, which includes all evidence about the subjects and the events. He stated that like the recent shootings in Colorado Springs, evidence was found that the shooter had a history smoking marijuana, which potentially led to psychosis and his devastating actions. But does that information pertain to the actual event? No. The nature of journalism includes that tid bits of as an important piece to the story evoking a higher response from both sides of the marijuana argument.
Final Project Progressions
As I am nearing the end of my research period for this piece I am, now, paying close attention to structure and visual aesthetics. I’ve learned this week that it is essential for journalistic proses to exemplify clean sophisticated simplicity when speaking about the cannabis industry. I am wrapping up the physical writing of the piece and adding stylistic notes where I deem fit and necessary. I am trying to incorporate all of the things I’ve learned this week in class.
