Bureau of Weed

Bureau of Weed

Regulators in Washington and Colorado face an unprecedented challenge: establishing standards for the safety and purity of newly legalized marijuana sold in their states. “I’ve seen stuff in grow houses — oh my God, you don’t even want to know about,” says the owner of a testing lab in Colorado.

It can’t be much scarier than the long list of unpronounceable stuff that goes into the snack foods enjoyed by many marijuana users.

Watered down: Struggling to keep up with demand, the folks who produce Maker’s Mark bourbon have reduced the alcohol level to 84 proof from 90 proof. They say they’ve added a touch more water to the product, but assure Maker’s Mark drinkers that they won’t notice the difference.

That’s because most of them mix the Maker’s with Coca-Cola.

Just one more thing: The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement is just that: retirement. Officials say the pontiff will have no behind-the-scenes role whatsoever in Vatican affairs.

But The Buzz bets that Cardinal Macchiato will be secretly calling Benedict to ask for the umpteenth time how to turn off the out-of-office message in Outlook.

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

RGB version
Editorial cartoons for Friday, April 19

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Snow dusts the treeline near Heather Lake Trailhead in the area of a disputed logging project on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, outside Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Move ahead with state forests’ carbon credit sales

A judge clears a state program to set aside forestland and sell carbon credits for climate efforts.

Students make their way through a portion of a secure gate a fence at the front of Lakewood Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. Fencing the entire campus is something that would hopefully be upgraded with fund from the levy. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Levies in two north county districts deserve support

Lakewood School District is seeking approval of two levies. Fire District 21 seeks a levy increase.

Schwab: Honestly, the lies are coming in thick and sticky

The week in fakery comes with the disturbing news that many say they believe the Trumpian lies.

If grizzlies return, should those areas be off-limits?

We’ve all seen the YouTube videos of how the Yellowstone man-beast encounters… Continue reading

Efforts to confront homelessness encouraging

Thanks to The Herald for its efforts to battle homelessness, along with… Continue reading

Comment: Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, nor was the past

Nostalgia often puts too rosy a tint on the past. But it can be used to see the present more clearly.

A new apple variety, WA 64, has been developed by WSU's College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. The college is taking suggestions on what to name the variety. (WSU)
Editorial: Apple-naming contest fun celebration of state icon

A new variety developed at WSU needs a name. But take a pass on suggesting Crispy McPinkface.

Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Among obstacles, hope to curb homelessness

Panelists from service providers and local officials discussed homelessness’ interwoven challenges.

FILE - In this photo taken Oct. 2, 2018, semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee is joining state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to propose limits to magazine capacity and a ban on the sale of assault weapons. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Editorial: ‘History, tradition’ poor test for gun safety laws

Judge’s ruling against the state’s law on large-capacity gun clips is based on a problematic decision.

This combination of photos taken on Capitol Hill in Washington shows Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., on March 23, 2023, left, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on Nov. 3, 2021. The two lawmakers from opposing parties are floating a new plan to protect the privacy of Americans' personal data. The draft legislation was announced Sunday, April 7, 2024, and would make privacy a consumer right and set new rules for companies that collect and transfer personal data. (AP Photo)
Editorial: Adopt federal rules on data privacy and rights

A bipartisan plan from Sen. Cantwell and Rep. McMorris Rodgers offers consumer protection online.

State needs to assure better rail service for Amtrak Cascades

The Puget Sound region’s population is expected to grow by 4 million… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.