Students and Profs Weigh in on Calif. Proposition to Legalize Marijuana On Nov. 2, California might just become the envy of Bob Marley fans across the country. Proposition 19, a measure that proposes legalization of marijuana possession for adults 21 and over, has blazed up more emotional reactions than iPod lighter apps at a Palo Alto High School dance. Many Stanford students view Proposition 19 -- which is slated for the Nov. 2 California statewide ballot -- as a natural step in light of California's budget issues, growing cultural acceptance of marijuana and the dangerous aspects of many currently legal drugs, such as alcohol and OxyContin. [continues 1037 words]
Dear Editor, Regarding your April 14th editorial, "Sensationalism, distortions cloud marijuana debate" the drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers. In 2008, there were 847,863 marijuana arrests in the U.S., almost 90 percent for simple possession. At a time when state and local governments are laying off police, firefighters and teachers, this country continues to spend enormous public resources criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis. The end result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily lower rates of use. [continues 128 words]
This November, California voters could make California the first state in the union to decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana, a landmark in the drug's history in this country. Currently, fourteen states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. In October of last year, the Obama administration declared that the federal government would discontinue the practice of prosecuting marijuana offenders, as long as they complied with state laws. For many advocates of marijuana decriminalization, Obama's departure from the Bush-era prosecution of the drug, coupled with the growing number of states allowing its use for medical reasons, is evidence of the nation's desire to end the ancient prohibition. Opponents of this measure-known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010-are stepping up to stress the detriments that this act will have on overall public health and safety. [continues 418 words]
I know two sides to Jessica. One side can be summed up in her eyes. They're a blazing green, and her eyes shift with the sharp accuracy of her quick wit. She is articulate, funny, and intelligent. She excels in the classroom and can be counted on for enlightening conversations. As an impressionable freshman, I looked to her as a role model. "Jessica - Version 2" I met months later, but she can be found alongside me at self-op parties and underneath open Franzia taps. Her energy livens up any social situation. However, later during freshman year when I found out that she smoked pot, I was floored. Not that partying with alcohol and partying with weed are worlds apart. But her academic prowess and razor sharp humor jarred with my vision of the slow-motion pothead burn-out. [continues 709 words]
Regarding Darren Franich's Jan. 16th column, if health outcomes determined drug laws instead of cultural norms, marijuana would be legal. Unlike alcohol, marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does it share the addictive properties of tobacco. Marijuana can be harmful if abused, but jail cells are inappropriate as health interventions and ineffective as deterrents. The first marijuana laws were enacted in response to Mexican migration during the early 1900s, despite opposition from the American Medical Association. Dire warnings that marijuana inspires homicidal rages have been counterproductive at best. [continues 173 words]
I wanted to thank Darren Franich for his wonderfully rude and irreverent reflections on the merits of Mary Jane ("The cutest little addiction," Jan. 16)). Clearly, he has explored the cultural and psychological terrain of which he speaks and returned with worthwhile insights. Mr. Franich has no further need to ponder the writing thing, failed novel or not. This 58-year-old failed novelist will be looking for his byline. Patrick McCartney Auburn, Calif, University of San Diego, '71 [end]
Being a chronic complainer and all-around prick, I often criticize members of the Stanford Administration for their many, many shortcomings. But I am no misanthrope. The sun is shining. Our basketball team just nuked the state of Washington. Jack Bauer went fucking vampire on a terrorist. So, bright-side-of-life time. I won't bore you with impolite chastisements of hard-working staff members like Jane Camarillo, upon whose metaphorical shallow grave we all shall dance the tango, and Greg Boardman, who reportedly wants to ban drinking games in freshman dorms -- a silly rumor, since only a complete poltroon would want to ban drinking games, and you and I both know Greg ain't no goddamn poltroon. [continues 1550 words]
Thousands of student drug offenders could be eligible for federal education aid previously denied to them under a new federal budget bill passed by the House of Representatives last week. The corresponding bill passed the Senate in December, and President George W. Bush is expected to sign the act into law shortly. Karen Cooper, a staff member at Stanford's Financial Aid Office, said that the legislation is very complex and that it impacts federal aid in several different ways. "One provision narrows the circumstances under which students can be denied federal aid eligibility based on drug conviction status," she said. "The current regulation denies eligibility to anyone with a drug conviction as an adult. The new regulation limits ineligibility only to those who are convicted of sale or possession of illegal drugs while enrolled in school and receiving Title IV aid." [continues 598 words]
Fight Over Medical Marijuana Goes National The line dividing recreational drugs and legitimate medical drug is growing increasingly blurry. Legal drugs can be abused, and illicit drugs can often be successfully used to treat medical conditions. Heroin, for example, was once sold by the Bayer Corporation for use as a cough suppressant and to aid recovery from morphine addiction. Of course the drug was rapidly banned once health officials and doctors recognized that it was highly addictive. Most would argue that this was a smart move, but perhaps the arguments are not so clear for other drugs. [continues 763 words]
Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders spoke about her life and her work in public health to a full house at Kresge Auditorium last night in the first Aurora Forum of the quarter. The talk, entitled "Jocelyn Elders: From Sharecropper's Daughter to Surgeon General," was an interview-style discussion between Elders and LaDoris Cordell, vice provost for campus relations and special counselor to the president. Cordell described Elders as "the rare public figure that has had, and continues to have, the courage of [her] convictions 24 / 7, 365 days a year." [continues 600 words]
According to a University of Ohio study, some 2,400 cases of rape nationwide involve the use of date rape drugs such as Rohypnol and GHB. And these are only the cases where the victims were able to identify that they were raped and reported it. Last weekend, I met a victim of date rape drugs. Her story is upsetting, but I hope that her tragedy becomes a lesson. Three years ago, Christy (not her real name) was invited to a house party in her hometown of Dallas, Texas. She was 21 back then and described herself as an avid clubber and raver. She was not naive to the words "GHB", "ecstasy" and "date rape drugs." But she was naive in thinking that she could never be a victim. That night she found out, never say never. [continues 820 words]
Act Restricts Certain Researchers' Use of Select Biological Agents The U.S. Department of Justice intends to conduct background checks on all Stanford researchers with access to certain biological agents classified as "non-exempt select agents" by the Center for Disease Control. According to Ellyn Segal, biosafety manager for Stanford's Department of Environmental Health and Safety, there are fewer than 50 people in a handful of labs at Stanford who are currently using these agents. So far, the CDC and the United States Department of Agriculture have only required research institutions, including Stanford, to register their select agents to each agency and have not yet requested names. [continues 1058 words]
