annual junior edition
Dramatic ending Page 5
VoluMe 87, iSSue 8
Sandpoint HigH ScHool
May 2010 Hoop Dreams Page 6
Medical marijuana
Top Ten
The Festival at Sandpoint announced its schedule this month. Students were asked who they would like to see at the FAS. Here are their answers:
Kid Cudi
Because the party should go through the day and night.
AC/DC Who doesn’t want to see them?
Lady Gaga I want to stalk her like paparazzi
Taylor Swift I heard she’s better live than on TV. I want to give her a chance.
MC Hammer Stop! Hammer time!
Coming to a pharmacy near you? AmAndA HAyes And GeorGe Wood Staff reporters
For a select group of patients bed-ridden in Idaho hospitals, come 2011, doctors may be able to offer medical marijuana as an alternative method of treatment. A bill likely to be proposed by Rep. Tom Trail (R-Moscow), would legalize the distribution of medical marijuana to patients suffering from chronic illnesses as deemed appropriate by a physician. Despite past failed bills, Trail feels confident in resurfacing the matter, identifying medical marijuana as “an alternative that can improve [patients’] quality of life.” Trail has worked in conjunction with John Coulthard, the director of Idahoans for Medical Marijuana, to gain awareness and encourage support of the proposition. “This bill is classed to be stricter than all of the other [existing medical marijuana] laws,” said Coulthard, which he feels is possible because it eliminates many of the loopholes that often spark controversies relating to use of the drug. Anxiety, for example, would not be an acceptable condition requiring the drug’s prescription, as it is in some other states, including California. The bill proposes distribution of registration cards, not unlike California’s or Washington’s Green Cards, that remain valid for a few years to patients deemed qualified by a physician. Satisfactory conditions would include cancer and effects of chemotherapy, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, HIV/AIDS and Parkinson’s, among other chronic diseases. The card would allow the patient to be prescribed up to two ounces of medical marijuana per month to be distributed at
Basically Speaking
Arcade Fire Good young people music that still appeals to older folks
Should Idaho legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes?
Beyonce
She is one of the best artists in history
John Mayer A jerk but he has a gorgeous voice
Metallica I want to see what fellow Sandpointers would go
MGMT We could use some management
designated federal buildings around the state. The bill would be ratifiable so that it may include the coverage of new illnesses should medical marijuana be proven beneficial in alternate circumstances. Many Idahoans remain skeptical of the new bill’s potential for passing. “I think [its passing] is not likely at all here in Idaho,” said Rep. John Rusche (D-ID 7th district), citing minimal proof of marijuana’s medical benefits in conjunction with the possibility of its diversion to drug abuse. He explained that current states allowing its use have been burdened with a great deal of added law enforcement issues. Questions also arise over the actual benefits of the drug. “Medical Marijuana is a preferable alternative to medications that [patients] are unfortunately having to take,” said Coulthard. Rusche disagrees. “I do not believe that it adds significantly to the drug armamentarium of physicians,” Rusche said. “It exposes doctors and pharmacists to legal risk for minimal benefit.” Scott Dunn, a local doctor, said he would not feel comfortable prescribing medical marijuana, even if adequate circumstances arose. “Prescribers remain tightly watched by the federal government and I don’t think it would be worth risking my license,” Dunn said. He also cautioned that side effects must be considered, including cardiovascular and psychogenic effects, as well as the long-term effects of smoke inhalation. “The legislature is really not in a position to make a well informed decision about the relative medical merits of marijuana or any other drug,” Dunn said. “There are many other concerns for our state that deserve their time.”
Pot Shots Quick facts about medical marijuana Medical Marijuana has been shown to treat some chronic diseases better and with less threatening side effects than conventional methods State laws function by removing the criminal penalties that federal laws implement Rep. Tom Trail (RMoscow) will introduce the bill to Idaho legislators in January It can treat certain instances of glaucoma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, among other chronic illnesses A past medical marijuana bill failed in Idaho “No. While 13 states currently allow some medicinal use of marijuana, the science concerning its benefits are thin and the results somewhat controversial.”
“Typically the people that are gonna be taking it aren’t contributing to society a whole lot anyway. I wouldn’t waste my time on it.” Rep. Tom Trail (R-Moscow)
Bill Wheeler M.D.
“The challenge will require great efforts on our part, but we will be able to provide patients with severe and chronic medical conditions an alternative which can improve their quality of life.”
John Coulthard, Director of Idahoans for Medical Marijuana
Scott Dunn M.D.
“Medical Marijuana is a preferable alternative to medications that (patients) are unfortunately having to take.”
Dirty dancing: Baby put in the corner Cancelled dance proceeds were to benefit freshmen, sophomores Jule PAul
Staff reporter
With a new dance policy set to make its debut at the spring dance, organizers and administrators saw an interesting reaction from the student body. The dance, scheduled for April 24, was canceled as result of slow ticket sales. The freshmen and sophomore classes organized the dance and were to split part of the
end of school
countdown
21 days
proceeds from the dance, which was expected to be between $1,500 to $2,000. The new policy bans dancing that simulates any sexual act, often referred to as “grinding.” Several chaperones and students complained about the dancing after the Winter Formal. “I don’t want my name attached to such dances,” Student Council adviser Mike Martz said. Student Council provided
What’s inside?
News.....................................................................Page 2 Opinion................................................................Page 3 Arts & Culture.....................................................Pages 4-5 Sports....................................................................Pages 6-7
students an opportunity to learn different types of dancing from dance teacher Cindy Smith last winter. But very few students attended and such events are not being planned for the future. Martz said he believes most students did not try make a point by protesting the spring dance, but he simply feels they don’t know how else to dance. The boycott, whether intentional or not, will not
change the new dance policy or the administrations decision to enforce it. if students continue not to attend dances, however, it will impact the ability for classes to hold events such as prom. Dances are the main fundraisers for classes with events such as Powderpuff and Ironman only raising small amounts of money. In the last three years, Martz said, each class had between $5,000 and $8,000 for prom.
“ Prom 2010
If the freshman and sophomore classes fail to raise this much money, they will need to think of other events for fund raising. Student Council has considered events such as frisbee and dodgeball tournaments or movie showings. Martz believes after summer vacation students will forget and continue to go to the dances. Therefore, he is not very concerned about the freshmen and sophomores’ class funds yet.
SHS’s comprehensive program will still be here. The quality and breadth of programs at SHS will remain.
A guide to last minute preparations Page 4
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bands you would like to see at the Festival at Sandpoint
— Dr. Becky Kiebert, principal
read more about budget cuts on page two