Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jun 2014
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Copyright: 2014 Village Voice Media
Contact: http://www.westword.com/feedback/EmailAnEmployee?department=letters
Website: http://www.westword.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1616
Author: William Breathes

WHAT SHOULD WE DO ON OUR STONER TRIP TO DENVER?

Dear Stoner: I'm out of town on business a lot, and whenever I tell 
people I'm from Colorado, it eventually leads to someone asking me 
about legal pot sales. I'm all for it and smoke from time to time 
myself; I just don't really want to talk about it with people who 
don't feel the same way as I do when I'm trying to do business with them.

Working for the Weekend

Dear WFTW: I didn't go to business school, but I'm pretty sure they 
don't cover this, so you've come to the right place. I say turn it 
back on them: Look at them squarely in the face and ask, blankly, 
"Why - do you smoke cannabis?" Then give a neutral chuckle: Maybe you 
meant it, maybe you didn't. Then wait. Their response is the key to 
your next move, and it works both ways. They might say, "Well, hell, 
yeah I do" - and then the two of you can go share a joint of their 
local weed while talking about whatever fancy business you do that 
flies you around the country all the time.

Or they'll say, "No way, Johnson. That stuff is for hippies and 
burnouts." (Or whatever it is that stuffy old businesspeople say.) At 
which point you say, "Oh, really? That wasn't you behind me at the 
Jimmy Buffett concert last week?" Stuffy old people love Jimmy 
Buffett regardless of their stance on pot; they play his garbage on 
their mega-yachts while cutting loose. Then you'll share a chuckle 
before you say, "No, me, either. I don't know what those dopers were 
thinking!" - and you'll move on to talking about your fancy business.

Dear Stoner: We're headed into Denver in July for a weekend stoner 
getaway. Any suggestions on what we should do?

Stoney in South Caroliney

Dear Stoney: You're in luck. The current Chronicle - Westword's guide 
to cannabis country - is dedicated to enjoying a stoney summer in 
Denver. Just stop by a head shop or dispensary once you get to town 
and grab a copy. In that issue, we stray far from the usual Red 
Rocks/16th Street Mall/Estes Park suggestions and delve into more 
obscure activities - like one of our favorites, Heritage Square:

"If you're a fan of the campy and corny, get to Golden for this Old 
West/Victorian theme park. It's seen better days, and most of the 
storefronts in the fake downtown are shuttered, but you can still hit 
the Heritage Square Alpine Slide. After taking a ten-minute chairlift 
to the top (the rules prohibit smoking but don't mention vape pens), 
you hop on a marginally controllable sled and shoot yourself down the 
path in a stoned blur. Three rides will run you about $20."
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