Iowa City, Ia. - When Sen. John Kerry campaigned on the University of Iowa campus last week, he intended to talk about financial aid and rising tuition costs with local students. But one student had something different in mind. U of I senior George Pappas approached Kerry in front of about 50 people to ask the Massachusetts senator's stance on medical marijuana. Kerry told Pappas that as president, he would put a stop to the Bush administration's raiding of medical marijuana patients, adding that he favors more research on the issue. [continues 1016 words]
IOWA CITY -- Two students are hoping to change the University of Iowa's stance of not offering financial aid to those with drug violations. UI senior George Pappas and freshman Kyle FitzGerald say they are not out to legalize marijuana. Instead, the duo plans to convince UI administrators next semester to take a defiant public stand against recent provisions to the Higher Education Act, which establishes federal financial aid programs for college students. A 1998 revision to the act blocks financial aid opportunities for college students who have drug convictions on their record. This is up for re-authorization in 2004. [continues 269 words]
