The Daily
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Mississippian
Vol. 102, No. 96
The Student Newspaper of The University Of Mississippi | Serving Ole Miss and Oxford since 1911
UPD makes presence known at UM baseball games
High Hopes
BY LOGAN KIRKLAND ltkirkla@go.olemiss.edu
Legalization of medical marijuana in sight for Mississippi By Lacey Russell
THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
M
ississippi is one of many states that has introduced bills regarding the legalization of marijuana for medi-
cal use. Medical marijuana is currently legal in 20 states and Washington D.C., and with Washington state and Colorado recently legalizing the recreational use of the drug, the subject is at the height of media visibility. In an interview with WAPT News in Jackson earlier this month, Gov. Phil Bryant said Colorado is more liberal in its way of thinking than Mississippi is; however, neighboring conservative states such as Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia have begun negotiating amendments to their existing marijuana laws. Despite the governor’s opposition, change has begun to make itself present in the Magnolia State. Six years in a row, state Sen. Deborah Dawkins (D-Pass Christian) has tenaciously pursued the legalization of marijuana for medical use in the Mississippi House of Representatives. However, none of her proposed bills has made it through committees for a vote. “Change is hard for people in Mississippi,”
OPINION: The future depends on
Dawkins told The Daily Mississippian. “Six or eight years ago, legislators were afraid to even say the word ‘marijuana.’ The idea is becoming more mainstream all over the country, and although we move slowly here, it is moving in that direction.” Her passion for fighting for medical marijuana legislation comes from personal experiences. She said that 20 years ago, her father died from lung cancer, and pain control for him was a large problem. “If you are not old enough to have had a good friend or a family member die in a situation of serious pain, if you live long enough, you will,” Dawkins said. Then another family tragedy occurred for Dawkins just last year. This past Thanksgiving, her brother, a resident of Texas, was out riding his motorcycle when he was struck by another vehicle. The accident caused him to break both of his legs, which resulted in multiple compound fractures. Dawkins said that even after eight surgical procedures, the possibility of amputation for See HOPES, PAGE 5
Lines composed a few miles above commuter parking lots
courage today
Ole Miss needs culture
University of Mississippi students can expect to see University Police Department officers at this weekend’s three-game home baseball series against the University of Central Florida. After rumors of numerous student arrests swirled during the first four home games, many were left wondering if last week’s incidents would become a habitual pattern throughout the season. “We are pretty much there to provide security and safety for the fans and visitors,” UPD Captain of Field Operations Michael Harmon said. Harmon went on to clarify that often times, students and citizens confuse alcohol regulations at baseball games because the baseball field is technically off campus. However, since the games are a university event, UPD is in charge of security. Regarding the rumor of UPD giving out minor in possessions at the first games of the season, Harmon said an officer did give out an MIP. “I think that was more like an isolated incident, but we did give an MIP for the first game,” Harmon said. Harmon said he is aware of the alcohol at the baseball games, but it is how people act that security is more concerned with. “We know students come in and have a good time. We want right field to be packed,” Harmon said. “We’re going to police the behavior.” Because there are so many students and fans that come to the baseball games, UPD will not check every cooler. Should an officer see beer openly in its container, they will deal with the specific issue, according to Harmon. Harmon said baseball games are similar to the Grove See UPD, PAGE 5
SPORTS:
MORE INSIDE
Newby fuels Ole Miss’ win over Alabama
Opinion .............................2 News .............................4 Lifestyles .............................6 Sports ...........................12 thedmonline . com
change
See Page 2 & 3
in that because so many people are drinking in one area, UPD only has time to deal with those who are causing a scene. “We don’t have the man power to deal with the public drunks,” Harmon said. “Because we’d be locking up probably 30,000-40,000 people.” For security procedures, Harmon said they have a detail for each game. There are at least four or five officers who work SEC games and three or four who work nonSEC games. All areas of the field are patrolled by both UPD officers and members of the Event Operation Group. Timothy Perkins, an Event Operation Group staff member, said his job at the baseball games is to check and make sure there are not any glass bottles or other objects that could potentially harm someone. “We try to keep everything out that might hurt someone,” Perkins said. Perkins said he enjoys the crowd and its fans because they are not too rowdy and seem to know how to behave. Agreeing with Perkins, Harmon said it is very rare for problems to occur in the stadium because it seems there is a mutual understanding of how to behave. Sophomore accountancy major Derrick Bradford believes baseball games are some of the more popular events at the university for the students. “Everyone has their own area, nobody really gets in trouble or misbehaves,” Bradford said. “It’s just a good time for everyone.” Bradford also believes that having UPD and security at games is important because they have the ability to intervene if anyone gets out of line. “They play just enough of
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