Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2016
Source: Westword (Denver, CO)
Column: Ask a Stoner
Copyright: 2016 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: Herbert Fuego

DEAR STONER: DOES THE POT INDUSTRY NEED CIVIL ENGINEERS?

Dear Stoner: My dad has expressed an interest in getting in on all 
this marijuana business; as a supportive daughter, I'm wondering if 
there is any opportunity for a veteran civil engineer in the industry.

Marisa

Dear Marisa: Your dad is probably overqualified for 99.5 percent of 
the jobs in the marijuana industry at the moment - but he could still 
find ways to use his skills, and there may be more opportunities in 
the future. Depending on what sort of civil engineer he was/is, he 
could help design the exteriors of grow houses. With all of the 
energy that hydroponic systems use in warehouses, I'm sure commercial 
growers and environmentalists alike would be interested in maximizing 
efficiency and minimizing energy use.

State-of-the-art grow warehouses will be more in demand as other 
states legalize pot. And if the federal government ever reclassifies 
it, big business will get involved - and will need people like your 
dad to make sure it's not wasting money. If this whole legal-weed 
thing stays around long enough, businesses might even want to invest 
in artistic or sustainable cultivation operations, similar to what 
breweries and wineries do. How cool would it be to become the Frank 
Lloyd Wright of commercial pot cultivation?

Dear Stoner: How many puffs is too much? I don't see the point of 
passing every two hits if it's just you and someone else.

Ken

Dear Ken: Don't bogart that joint, my friend. No worries if you're 
under the age of forty and don't get the Easy Rider reference, but 
puffing-and-passing etiquette is something people of all ages take 
quite seriously in this state.

The basic rule: No more than two hits (a small third hit is 
acceptable the first go-round if you pretend to be intrigued by the 
taste) if you're in a circle of people you don't know. The joint is a 
privilege for everyone, and you should share accordingly. If you're 
with one or two friends, four or five hits is usually fine, but 
nobody likes the storyteller who thinks his tale about almost getting 
in a fight last Friday means he can smoke half the blunt while he's 
telling it. Some people like to hear the sound of their own voices 
when there's pot in their hands; try not to be that person.

A circle of more than four friends usually means the "puff, puff, 
pass" rule is in effect to ensure that everyone gets his fair share. 
But don't let some random mooch at Red Rocks chat his way into 
burning half your stash. None of these rules apply if it's your weed 
that's being smoked.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom