| Photo: WBAL |
| Marijuana critic: William Breathes at work |
My friends at Denver Westword are lobbying to have their medical marijuana panel accepted for the 2012 South By Southwest (SXSW) conference, and they have a good shot at making the cut. But they need our help.
The panel, “Big Business: The Future of Marijuana Journalism” couldn’t be more relevant and timely.
Online voting comprises 30 percent of how a panel gets accepted for inclusion. “That’s a big chunk,” said Web Editor Nick Lucchesi at Westword.
To vote for inclusion of the medical marijuana panel, click this link:
| Photo: Nick Lucchesi |
| Nick Lucchesi, Westword: “MMJ still remains a taboo subject for the old guard of journalism” |
You’ll need to sign in or create an account to vote on SXSW PanelPicker 2012, but the sign-up is quick, free and easy.
Lucchesi will be on the panel along with William Breathes, the nation’s first medical marijuana credit (I’m number two; maybe that means I’ll get to go next year, ell oh ell). Breathes has been featured by The New York Times, CNN and The Daily Show.
Breathes and Lucchesi, both work at Westword, based in Denver, Colorado, “the Wild West of MMJ,” where “there are more dispensaries than Starbucks.”
“We’ll show you how to report on and earn revenue from the medical marijuana industry in your community in a way that’s useful to all involved,” Lucchesi said. “We’ll share advice about handling MMJ politics, culture and how the multi-million dollar industry sprang up around it.
“And yes, how to cover pot culture without pandering,” Lucchesi said. “MMJ still remains a taboo subject for the old guard of journalism, who at best cover pot with a wink and a nod.
“And finally, we’ll talk about being a pot critic — which may not always be the best job in journalism, but it sure beats writing obits,” Lucchesi said.
Actually, you know what, Nick? Trust me. It is the best job in journalism.