On Media Blog Archives Select Date… December, 2015 November, 2015 October, 2015 September, 2015 August, 2015 July, 2015 June, 2015 May, 2015 April, 2015 March, 2015 February, 2015 January, 2015

Denver Post lights up new pot editor

The Denver Post has found its pot editor.

Ricardo Baca will helm the paper's marijuana coverage as Colorado's recreational marijuana law goes into effect in January. Baca is nearly a 12-year a veteran of The Denver Post, previously serving as entertainment editor and a music critic.

Baca said this will be the paper's "biggest initiative for the coming year" and although alternative media has been covering the topic for decades, "no other media outlet in the state has the strength in numbers and reach of The Post."

(PHOTOS: Palin’s memorable pot shots)

The Post's News Director Kevin Dale made the announcement in a memo sent to the newsroom Tuesday.

"As we’ve said, the legalization of marijuana in Colorado is our biggest story in the coming year. Ricardo is the perfect person to lead this charge — and he will need all of our resources," Dale wrote.

However, The Post also published a Q and A on Wednesday with Baca about the role and tackled questions such as has Baca ever inhaled?

"I’ve covered concerts for a living over the last 15 years. That means hanging out with musicians, working with people in the industry, attending music festivals in Austin and the Coachella valley and New York and L.A. So yes," Baca said as to whether he's smoked pot, adding he's "never been a full-on stoner."

(PHOTOS: 9 pols who talked pot)

The paper's SVP of human resources also included an explainer on what will be the office policies on engaging in ... beat research.

"As with alcohol, you are not allowed to ingest (either via cigarettes or food) marijuana in the office or come to the office 'reeking' of marijuana," Missy Miller said. "If you do imbibe marijuana in the course of covering it for your job, we expect you to take necessary steps to ensure you do not drive while impaired or put anyone at risk."

The paper announced the position last week, but there are additional opportunities to join Baca's team, which will be hiring a freelance pot critic and a freelance pot advice columnist.

Follow @politico