Ricardo Baca

Ricardo Baca

Ricardo Baca is a contributing editor for The Cannabist. He was appointed The Denver Post's first marijuana editor in November 2013 and spearheaded the formation of The Cannabist, a division of the Post. Fortune magazine ranked Baca as one of the seven most powerful people in American cannabis while the Brookings Institution said he's one of 12 key people to watch in marijuana policy. Considered by Vice as 'the nation's most prestigious weed editor,' Baca is also the subject of the feature-length documentary 'Rolling Papers.' Baca also founded music blog Reverb and co-founded music festival The UMS.

Recent posts by Ricardo Baca

Vice President Joe Biden: “Our policy … is still not legalization”

We’ll be reading about the significance of Barack Obama’s quotes on marijuana through the rest of his presidency. How does Vice President Joe Biden feel?

Snoop Dogg hijacks Will Ferrell on Reddit to talk “trees,” cowbell

Remember that time when Snoop Dogg hijacked Will Farrell’s hilarious Reddit AMA to talk weed and cowbell? As Farrell pushed through his AMA on Tuesday with comedy-gold answers to ridiculous questions, it was clear he was having fun with the Reddit crowd.

That time we legalized marijuana: 10 defining moments in the recreational era

Remember when Colorado voters legalized recreational marijuana? Here are 10 moments that helped define Jan. 2014, the first month of legal weed sales. Click here.

Bitcoin for bud? It’s happening in Washington

Is Bitcoin the answer to the marijuana industry’s many issues with the federally regulated banking system? A Spokane, Wash. dispensary thinks so because of the Bitcoin’s ease and legality.

Walk for Weed: Wyoming NORML takes to the state capitol (interview)

Wyoming NORML isn’t nearly as entrenched as its colleagues in Colorado, but don’t count the scrappy activists in Cheyenne, Jackson and Sinclair out of the fight. Even though conservative Wyoming has reminded everyone a number of times to “not bring your Colorado-purchased marijuana into Wyoming,” there is a movement in the state to push decriminalization and legalization.

Reaction to Gemma Moss’ “cannabis poisoning” postmortem

International media are reporting that the Oct. 28, 2013 death of 31-year-old Gemma Moss of Boscombe, England, was a result of “cannabis poisoning.” The controversial announcement would make Moss — who is purported to have smoked half a joint before going to bed the night of her death — the first fatality of marijuana in Britain, the agencies said.

Denver County Fair’s changing tastes (interview)

By now you’ve likely heard the news of the Denver County Fair’s expansion in 2014 to include a “Pot Pavilion.” They talked about it on “The View” and Jimmy Kimmel. And yes, they will judge the county’s best cloned plants, pot brownies, homemade bongs, hemp garments and more.

AG Eric Holder responds to President Obama’s marijuana comments

Attorney General Eric Holder was questioned on Wednesday during a Senate hearing on the Obama administration’s marijuana policy, and was asked if he agreed with President Barack Obama’s feelings about pot.

Cronic Cabaret a sexy, smokin’ Friday-night Denver soiree

A burlesque-themed party in Denver is the latest in local entrepreneurs’ efforts to take advantage of legal recreational marijuana. However, it’s clearly a complicated and contentious issue.

Medical marijuana in the NFL: “We will consider that,” says commish (video)

The National Football League would “consider” allowing athletes to use medical marijuana if doctors said it would help treat head injuries, league commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday. The NFL, which has been heavily criticized in recent years for players’ concussions brought on by season after season of hard knocks, has a strict anti-drug policy that includes marijuana.

NORML offices in Denver, Seattle make Super Bowl bet

While Las Vegas oddsmakers are having a hard time discerning who is favored to win this year’s Super Bowl — the Denver Broncos or the Seattle Seahawks — the Colorado and Washington offices of NORML know who they’re betting on.

X Games start in Aspen sans recreational weed sales

Is there recreational marijuana on sale in Aspen for X Games? Nope, but pot shops in Silverthorne, Empire and beyond are expecting to benefit. “It’s frustrating, but all things considered I’m just looking forward to getting open,” said Jordan Lewis, owner of Silverpeak Apothecary. “There’ll be another X Games next year.”

Justin Timberlake in Denver: “It smells legal in here tonight” (video)

Justin Timberlake is an outspoken fan of the herb. The pop star has often spoke of his admiration of marijuana. When I saw him play to a 800-capacity club at SXSW 2013, he thanked the crowd and the “wonderful, weird city of Austin for having me” as he told stories…

Colorado congressman invites Obama on pot tour

It’s one thing if a press-savvy entrepreneur stages a press conference inviting the President of the United States on his Colorado marijuana tour bus. But it’s something else entirely when a member of congress invites the President “to visit a legal dispensary and grow operation to see how the law is being implemented in the state.”

Chat: Pot journalism in Colorado and Washington

Marijuana journalism is the topic du jour, and Denver Post marijuana editor Ricardo Baca and Seattle Times pot reporter Bob Young share their insights, talk about their biggest pet peeve about pot coverage and answer questions about teens, culture, trafficking, banking and more.

Bill Murray: “The terror of marijuana was probably overstated”

Actor Bill Murray did a Reddit AMA and commented on, among other things, recreational marijuana.

Mason Tvert responds to his viral, “SNL”-mocked interview with Nancy Grace

Nancy Grace interviewed marijuana advocate Mason Tvert and told stories that made the original clip go viral — all the way to its own “SNL” parody.

Puff, Pass & Paint: crafting with a twist

When working artist Heidi Keyes and a friend were joking about co-opting the popular “canvas-and-cocktails” idea for the marijuana crowd, Keyes jumped on it. She will teach small classes of six people in her private home studio as joints are passed around.

Vending machines for pot? Yes, but there’s a hitch

Imagine a not-so-distant future that includes vending machines dispensing joints and eighths of marijuana. A marijuana vending machine? Yes, you read that correctly — not that they’ll be next to the Pepsi and snack machines at your office, though.

Marijuana polls: Four surveys in nine months tell a compelling story (video)

How does America feel about the legalization of marijuana? Everybody has an answer, and there are certainly maps that will tell you about various states’ laws. But in truly tackling that question — How does the U.S. feel about pot legalization? — it’s best to leave the answer to the experts who make a living out of professional polling.

Video: Anderson Cooper: “Did you say those joints were like smoking cannons?”

Anderson Cooper sent CNN reporter Randi Kaye to Colorado to report on marijuana. She got in a smoked-out limo with tourists. And things got really weird.

Map: State-by-state marijuana laws in the U.S.

Fact: Marijuana laws in the U.S. are all over the place. While it’s legal to buy, grow and possess pot in Colorado, the state’s neighbor to the north Wyoming recently reminded everyone that pot paraphernalia (let alone the weed itself) is still absolutely illegal up there.

Talking quality cocoa and mint with Dabba founder (interview)

When Boulder resident James Howler dreamed up a plan to create a great-tasting pot chocolate bar in late-2011, he couldn’t have expected what would come next.

‘Getting all potted up on weed’? Media coverage riles Jon Stewart

Imagine the look on Jon Stewart’s face when a Fox News pundit said tartly, “What’s to keep somebody from getting all potted up on weed and then getting behind the wheel?”

“I bought this pot with my boss’ money:” Reporter buys, destroys a $27 gram (video)

We’re fans of Trevor Hughes, the Coloradoan reporter who made the above video for the Fort Collins newspaper’s website. Hughes’ idea was solid: This is a video of him buying pot for the very first time ever. This wasn’t Hughes’ first legal recreational pot purchase; It was his first actual pot purchase. As he candidly, sweetly says: “I never have done pot.”

Did you really believe the “Marijuana overdoses kill 37” hoax? (column)

If you read The Daily Currant’s Jan. 2 online story called “Marijuana overdoses kill 37 in Colorado on first day of legalization” and believed it, you are officially: ______________________________. (Fill in the blank.) And read our column here.

Spirit Airlines sparks “We’re High” Colorado flight promo

As the official tourism agencies for the state of Colorado and city of Denver stay mum on the absurd tourism potential brought forth by the recent opening of recreational marijuana shops here, businesses here and abroad are taking advantage of the lawful switch that has Colorado all over international media.

30 cents per ounce: “Can I pour you a Recreational Smoke?” (Yep, it’s beer.)

“Since we opened last year,” said West Flanders head brewer Brian Lutz in press materials, “many of our customers have told us they wanted to be able to enjoy Recreational Smoke here at our brewpub. In light of recent events, we decided the time was right for us to make that happen.”

Weegalization music via OutKast, Dylan, Cab Calloway and more (playlist)

This is 2014, so every milestone deserves its own updated playlist, right? Marking Colorado’s new legal recreational pot sales is this banger of a playlist put together by the fine folks at Reverb.

Gov. Hickenlooper parties with the Flaming Lips in Aspen; Lips Instagram “#legalizedit”

It’s a totally crappy Instagram, yes, but what a pairing: Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.

City of Denver posts marijuana don’ts on 16th Street Mall

Out-of-state tourists wandering Denver’s 16th Street Mall wondering “Can I smoke a joint here” or “Can I take this Colorado weed home with me” will find answers to those questions and others on six signs posted along the popular pedestrian thoroughfare.

Welcome to The Cannabist (video)

It’s certainly nice to meet you. Me? I’m The Cannabist. Let’s hang out and get to know each other.

When did 4/20 Eve become an actual thing? Looking ahead to Slightly Stoopid, Mac Miller, Red Rocks and more

You’ve seen previous 4/20s, Colorado. But can you imagine what 4/20/2014 will look like?