Congratulations are in order for reporter Joe Hanel of the Durango Herald, who received honors for his coverage of Amendment 44. 

One of Mr. Hanel's stories on Amendment 44 took home second place in the legal affairs category of the  Society of Professional Journalists' Best of Colorado Excellence in Journalism contest. The story -- which carried the headline, "Marijuana proponent stumps for 44" -- was focused on the "Drug Duel" during the Amendment 44 campaign, at which time SAFER Executive Director Mason Tvert offered to go "hit for chug" with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Coors Cartel leader Pete Coors.

The article contained the classic line about Colorado Attorney General John Suthers being a wine-cooler-drinking nanny, which was highlighted in the on-line version . Classic...