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Alternative US newspaper, Westword, claims to have received over 100 applicants for the newly created post of marijuana critic.

The Denver based paper is searching for a writer willing to contribute weekly review of Colorado's booming medical marijuana dispensaries.

Candidates must have a medical ailment allowing them to enter a dispensary and use marijuana under Colorado State law.

"Keep in mind this isn't about assessing the quality of the medicine on site; it's about evaluating the quality of the establishment," says the Westword job posting. "After all, we can't have our reviewer be stoned all the time."

There are now fourteen US states which permit the sale of cannabis for medical purposes, including Colorado and California, and there has been an explosion in the number of pot shops. The dispensaries sell a wide variety of strains, ranging from the upmarket White Widow to the less expensive Afghan Gold Seal. With some strains costing up to $360 (£219) an ounce. However the writer of Westword's 'Mile Highs and Lows' column is expected to focus on the dispensaries, not the drugs. "Compensation will be meagre," says the posting. It says the paper can't pay for marijuana purchases, "although that would be pretty cool."

According to Westword many of the job applicants have offered to work for free.