In cannabis journalism, immersive reporting can sometimes take a different turn—especially when the assignment comes with a side of smoke. That’s exactly what happened to Vermont-based reporter Ken Picard, who found himself crossing the line between observer and participant while profiling a rising local voice in the Green Mountain State’s cannabis culture.
The result? A hazy interview, a very real lesson in professional boundaries, and a reminder that in weed media, the line between journalistic objectivity and vibe-checked spontaneity can get… well, a little lit.
Reporting in the Weeds
When Picard showed up at the home of Kris Brown—a combat veteran, cannabis advocate, and host of the Vermont-grown podcast Cannasations w/Kris—he was expecting to do what journalists do best: ask questions, collect quotes, and build a narrative around a community voice shaping cannabis culture in the Northeast.
What he didn’t expect? That Brown would flip the script.
After finishing his planned interview, Brown invited—or more accurately, nudged—Picard to join him for a recorded session of Cannasations. The rules were simple: spark up, speak freely, and let the conversation drift wherever the high might take it.
For Picard, a seasoned journalist with a clear sense of professionalism, the invitation posed a dilemma: engage in on-the-record consumption during business hours, or decline and potentially miss out on an honest look into the format that’s made Cannasations a hit.
The joint was lit. The mic was hot. The line was crossed.
High Stakes Storytelling
To keep things above board, Picard added a few journalistic caveats before hitting record: his comments were personal and not reflective of his employer, and the episode would need to stay embargoed until after his print story dropped.
Then came the truly surreal part. Because the podcast taping took place before the article was even written, Brown began referencing his soon-to-be-published feature mid-interview, speaking about it in the past tense. “Seven Days just dropped with me in it,” he joked—creating a moment that felt like a cross between performance art and a contact high from the multiverse.
The result was a time-warped podcast that existed both as content and commentary on content creation itself. In a cannabis media landscape that often blends culture, community, and consciousness, this blurred boundary felt oddly fitting.
Lessons From the Blunt Side
In hindsight, Picard admits the experience was a little too immersive. While cannabis journalism doesn’t carry the same physical risks as war reporting or natural disaster coverage, it does come with its own professional challenges—especially when subjects invite journalists to fully participate in the scene they’re covering.
The takeaway for any reporter covering cannabis? Know your limits. Set your boundaries. And maybe don’t spark up while still on deadline.
That said, there’s no denying that firsthand experiences can sometimes unlock deeper understanding. In this case, Picard’s brief detour into the Cannasations vortex gave him a unique view into the space he was covering—one where community, authenticity, and cannabis all converge.
A New Kind of Access Journalism
As cannabis culture continues to gain legitimacy and visibility, reporters will find themselves in more hybrid spaces like Brown’s home studio—part business, part creative lab, part living room hotbox. These aren’t press conferences or sterile boardrooms. They’re where cannabis stories are told with candor, charisma, and clouds.
While this style of reporting isn’t for everyone, it does reflect a broader trend: cannabis coverage is evolving beyond product reviews and policy breakdowns. It’s about people, culture, and lived experiences—and sometimes, the best way to tell those stories is to inhale the vibe and see where the conversation leads.
Just make sure you hit “stop recording” before things get too deep.