Crossing the streams

What’s the right way to get crossfaded? My buddy who’s just getting into it won’t stop puking on my carpet.

—Amy Choor

This is the best question I have received in a looooong time. Thank you. Getting “crossfaded” (being high on weed and drunk on booze at the same time) can be hella fun. The challenge is finding the right balance of booze and buds to keep it enjoyable and vomit-free. Moderation is the first part. There is no reason to smoke all the weed and drink all the booze. A shot or two of this, a dab or two of that and you should be well on your way to finding a happy medium. But I think the most important part is in what order you ingest your intoxicants. My research and experience have led me to understand that getting stoned before you get your drink on is the best way to avoid the spins and the hurls. Just say this to yourself before you start your adventure:

Beer before bongs, you’re doing it wrong.

Bongs before beer, you’re in the clear.

Once you are drunk, it may be better to avoid the marijuana. Don’t give into peer pressure. Be a responsible drug user. Have fun. Be careful. Don’t drive. Also, baking soda is a great way to remove vomit from a carpet. Dump a box over the mess and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then vacuum. Good luck.

Are there any lessons for California from Oregon’s implementation of legalization?

—Wes Coast

I think California could learn from all of the states that have legalized cannabis. There have been a few hiccups, but Oregon probably has the best program so far. It’s been successful because the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has been pretty good about keeping taxes low and ensuring that the folks who have been in the game for a while can stay in the game. The biggest thing is not to strangle the new industry with too many taxes. Los Angeles wants to add an extra 15 percent tax to help the homeless. This is almost a good idea, but a 15 percent tax on top of the state tax and the excise tax (if Assembly Bill 2243 gets passed) will do nothing to create the low prices needed to compete with the black market. Colorado and Oregon and Washington all make way more money than they thought they would, so there is no need to squeeze every cent possible from a newly legal industry.

I also think California needs social clubs and cannabis lounges like they have in Alaska. Colorado is having a hard time because tourists can’t find anywhere to smoke, and Portland shut down two of its three social clubs because pot smoke is dangerous or something. There is language in the Adult Use of Marijuana Act initiative to allow for smoking clubs, so that may be one more reason to vote yes.