The Kent Stater - April 20-23, 2017 by The Kent Stater

The

Kent Stater 4/20 - 4/23

HIGH

HOPES

Bluntly discussing the growth of marijuana in modern life

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THE WEEKEND GUIDE TO ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND STUDENT LIFE

GRADS AND GRASS

Photo Illustration by Paige Margulies / The Kent Stater

Alumna advocates for legalization of marijuana in trade magazine Rachel Duthie Student Life Reporter One Kent State alumna is diving into the future of the marijuana industry, one magazine at a time. Cassie Neiden became managing editor of Cannabis Business Times, a marijuana trade publication based out of Cleveland, in February. The magazine provides industry news, as well as legal and financial sources pertaining to marijuana and legalization in Ohio. "People may mistake us as a lifestyle magazine, but it is extremely professional," Neiden said. "We very much focus on business management, like taxes and hiring processes." As managing editor, Neiden oversees a staff of writers who discuss the horticultural aspects of marijuana production. This includes topics like the best types of fertilizers for growing, or whether to utilize nitrogen to strengthen crop yield. While she has always been accepting of marijuana, Neiden grew passionate in advocating for the drug with her time at the magazine. Neiden said the stigma associated with marijuana is dated and baseless. "In journalism, you're not supposed to be biased," she said. "But I guess I am biased in the way that we are an advocacy group trying to tell the world about the amazing and exciting research in pot." This same passion is shared by Noelle Skodzinski, editor and co-founder of Cannabis Business Times. In 2016, she was named among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Cannabis. "I think many people don't realize that there is a professional, thriving industry building up for legalized and recreational marijuana," Skodzinski said. "It is an agricultural crop just like corn or tomatoes that contributes to our local economies." Legal marijuana sales in North America totaled $6.7 billion in 2016, according to industry research and analytics from

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Cassie Neiden, Kent State alum and managing editor at the Cannabis Business Times magazine, poses for a portrait in Ohio City, Ohio, on Wednesday. Paige Margulies / The Kent Stater

Many people don't realize that there is a professional, thriving industry building up for legalized and recreational marijuana.”

– Noelle Skodzinski Editor and co-founder of Cannabis Business Times

Arcview Market Research. That's a 30 percent sales growth in one year. Neiden and Skodzinski work with medicial marijuana and the benefits cannabidoil (CBD) oil and other marijuanainduced remedies have on patients who experience seizures or extreme anxiety. Yet, they still receive occasional disapproval from strangers who still only associate the substance with stoner culture.

"We've come to find that this isn't true," Neiden said. "Cannabis companies are becoming aware of this stigma and are not trying to be more sophisticated. They are trying to reach a wider audience without catering to a specific stereotype." Both women agreed that marijuana is only becoming more prominent and accepted in today's culture. "We see medical marijuana being fully legalized across all 50 states in my lifetime," Neiden said. "Recreational is more up in the air, but as long as people stay educated, the right decisions will be made." For now, the staff at Cannabis Business Times is working to inform readers of an evolving market. "Every now and then, I encounter someone who gets awkwardly quiet when I tell them what I do, but for the most part, people are interested," Skodzinski said. "I commonly have people asking for free samples." rduthie@kent.edu

Alumnus opens state’s first medical marijuana school McKenzie Jean-Philippe Diversity Editor At the age of 16, Richard Pine was in a car accident. To help ease the discomfort of injuries sustained in the crash, Pine’s doctors prescribed him various pain medications and muscle relaxers. While the pills were intended to help during recovery, he found another medication that he preferred. “Using cannabis always helped with the pain better,” Pine said. “And I never got the groggy, drug feeling that all the pills gave me. And later, I pretty much found out that I was self-medicating with cannabis. I just preferred that over medication.” The 28-year-old Kent State alumnus used his experience as motivation to create the Cleveland Cannabis College, Ohio’s first medical marijuana education provider. Not long after graduating in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Pine began research on the medical benefits of the cannabis plant. After Ohio passed House Bill 523 last September — legalizing medical marijuana statewide — he found an opportunity to reach out to fellow Ohioans through the college. “In order to make this medication safely and effective and available, there needs to be a strong base for education,” Pine said. “Also, with Ohio requiring the ongoing education for physicians and for a lot of the people who hold licenses — growers, processors and dispensaries — the state is requiring ongoing education for employees. So we saw that there was this niche that we could get into to make sure we were providing the best cannabis related education anywhere.”

SEE SCHOOL / PAGE 4

Screenshot of Richard Pine. Submitted screenshot

Illustrations by Nick Labate

Page 2 | Thursday, April 20, 2017

Appeasing the masses

USG aims to meet students’ musical tastes Madeline Crandall Entertainment Reporter This year’s FlashFest artist selections have sparked negative reactions among students. The Undergraduate Student Government, the organization in charge of bringing acts to campus for the entertainment of students, chose rapping duo Rae Sremmurd to headline the annual concert — two years after their last FlashFest appearance. Other FlashFest performers for Thursday include several Kent State students who will perform as part of the free portion of the concert outside on the Student Green. USG’s director of programming is responsible for planning and coordinating five shows a year for the student body. Shows can include any type of guest speaker, comedian or musical performance. So far this academic year, USG featured a joint show with Kesha and PARTYNEXTDOOR, a concert from The 1975 and a TEDx conference. Clifford Glowacki, a senior theatre studies major and current director of programming, said USG represents the student body well, and that he is “very proud of the work USG has done this year.” “I believe that USG fully empowers the student voice and is one of the most effective avenues for students to let their voices be heard,” Glowacki said. “We have been able to bring numerous student concerns to light and help influence real change around campus this year.” Elections for next year’s USG positions saw a low turnout, with only 6 percent of the student body voting. Julia Stoll, a sophomore business management major, said she voted in this year’s USG elections. “I think (USG) should get their name out and advertise more,” she said. “They should send out more emails to the student body, surveying them so they can get involved in decisions too.” Bradley Banks, a junior exercise science major, won the election over junior fashion merchandising major Emonte Wimbush. The complete board of programming contains six people, including the director. “I’ve noticed through being around USG and running all the concerts over the last three years that not enough students know about it and it’s an organization based around student opinion

and desires,” Banks said. “I want to be the connector of the two so everyone can be heard.” Mazzi Drinkwater, a sophomore psychology major, had no name recognition at all of USG. Her interests include music and she explained that she desires a more diverse set of names Kent. “I would like to see events here being made more affordable with more diverse music. It seems that all of the choices are either really big, basic names or it’s rap and hip-hop,” Drinkwater said. “There’s so much more music out there that people enjoy.” Over the last few years, big names like Wiz Khalifa, Future, Kid Ink, Jeremih, PARTYNEXTDOOR and now two stints from Rae Sremmurd were selected to perform. Other genres were sprinkled in, including country with Hunter Hayes, alternative rock with The 1975 and pop with Kesha. High-profile comedians also graced the M.A.C. Center in recent years, including Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer. Banks said he wants to better USG altogether with his position. His goals are to end the skepticism about USG and draw the negative opinions away by including more transparency and inclusion throughout the student body. He also has his own vision for a leadership guest speaker event. “I kind of want to do something along the lines of a leadership speaker. In the past we had Stephen A. Smith, a columnist for ESPN,” Banks said. “He came and did a really cool leadership talk to the campus. I also have a huge love for music, so I’m excited to put that into play.” Glowacki said he is confident Banks will fill the director of programming title well next semester. “I have been talking to (Banks) quite a bit both before the election and since. I would say that the key (to) success is empowering the people around you to do great things and they will do the same for you,” Glowacki said. “USG is a highly collaborative organization and together, USG will represent and empower student voices.” The board is in charge of choosing an artist that best hears student preferences. The director of programming collaborates with the board to book performers. “Kent isn’t a dictatorship," Banks said. "Students’ voices play a huge role and if we bring someone that most of

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OPINION EDITOR Kesha performs at the M.A.C. Center on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Clint Datchuk / The Kent Stater

the students don’t like, then it defeats the whole purpose. I think we should try for a goal to not make a profit off of the students, but to ensure their happiness and their appreciation of the artist that we bring.” Paige Kuder, a sophomore criminology and justice studies major, was also not familiar with USG. She believes a poll via social media or submission form could be the best way to strengthen student voices within USG. “I know that me and my friends would answer to a poll on Twitter asking what performers we want to play at Kent,” Kuder said. “Most students wouldn’t just scroll past it because it definitely involves them and is easy to do.” “I truly believe that Twitter polls are one of the best ways to hear what students want,” Banks said. “I would definitely appreciate and promote students to come into my office hours and tell me their opinions with myself and the board members.” Angela Nichols, a senior geology major, was unaware that students have input in performer selections.

Rae Sremmurd's latest album

“I didn’t even know that students had the chance to express who they want to come and play at Kent. I’m sure if more people knew about it then they would show interest because everyone loves music,” Nichols said. “USG just has to work on communicating with as many students as they can to book (artists) who people want.” Banks further explained that his love for music was one of the big reasons he wanted to win the director of programming position. He expressed enthusiasm, looking forward to what his candidacy brings. “I think music is something that can make anybody happy. Everyone has their favorite tune or melody they like to listen to, whether it be rap, hip-hop, country or EDM,” he said. “Whatever they’re doing during the day, music can make that person more happy, and if I can have the opportunity to be able to make a whole campus happy, I would love to be able to make that happen.” mcranda4@kent.edu

Rae Sremmurd performs at FlashFest in the M.A.C. Center on April 23, 2015. FlashFest is hosted annually by Undergraduate Student Government. MaKayla Brown / The Kent Stater

Rae Sremmurd returns to campus for Thursday's FlashFest, this time with a more expensive price tag. The Undergraduate Student Government will pay the rapping duo $110,000 to headline the annual concert. USG paid $40,000 for them to perform two years ago. Since their appearance at FlashFest 2015, Rae Sremmurd has released a new album titled "SremmLife 2" featuring the hit song "Black Beatles." Along with the Rae Sremmurd concert, which will begin in the M.A.C. Center at 8 p.m., a free outdoor show will start at 5 p.m. on the Student Green. Performers for this show include four acts, most of which are current Kent State students. USG has paid similar rates for artists over the past few semesters, including $100,000 for Kesha in September and $120,000 for comedian Kevin Hart in 2014.

The Kent City Council discussed two big issues at its meeting Wednesday night — a new recreation center and LGBTQ antidiscrimination policies — both of which the council decided they would need more time to think over. The council examined a proposal for a new health and wellness center. A presentation laid out a plan for the new complex, citing a plethora of statistics and case studies, which examined recreation facilities in Tallmadge, Cuyahoga Falls and Twinsburg. Those studies outlined strategies used by each community to facilitate a recreation center within city limits. The proposed facility would be approximately 90,000 square feet and would cost between $18-23 million to build. The council hopes the facility will include crucial amenities like an indoor track, free weights and basketball courts. The council has started reaching out to potential partners in the endeavor and has received interest from University Hospitals in acquiring 5,000 square feet. In addition, Kent State and Kent City Schools have shown interest in partnerships. The facility would fill the need of Kent residents who seeks recre-

ation, but would prefer not to use the Student Wellness and Recreation Center on Kent State’s campus. The proposed recreation center would provide a cheaper and more familyfriendly alternative. Carolyn Barck, a senior recreation parks and tourism management major at Kent State, spoke at the meeting about the need for a facility like this in Portage County. “I was trying to convey that the more recreation and community centers that we have, the more access and opportunity they’ll have,” Barck said. “It’s been proven that the more parks and facilities we have in the area, the more active that people will be. “ The professor in Barck’s community development and recreation class spent time researching cardiovascular health in seniors. “If we can add to the facilities available, then hopefully that will lead to a lower cholesterol level and better overall cardiovascular health,” Barck said. “Since that’s the leading cause of death in our seniors in this county, my goal was to show how important it is for a facility like this.” The other big item on the agenda was the continued desire for the City of Kent to outlaw the discrimination of LGBTQ community mem-

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USG doubles pay for headliner Rae Looking back at Sremmurd at second FlashFest show

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Hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd is gearing up for a return to campus at this year’s FlashFest with some fresh material since their last performance in 2015. In 2016, the duo, comprised of brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, released their sophomore album “SremmLife 2,” and displayed some sonic growth from their debut. The Gucci Mane and Mike WiLL Made It-assisted “Black Beatles” is a clear standout on the album. On the track, the group compares their popularity to that of the Beatles at their peak over a mid-tempo trap production. Celebrating a life of excesses, the brothers and Gucci Mane each deliver solo verses joined by a smooth, earwormworthy chorus. Tight productions from the likes of label mate Mike WiLL Made It and guest verses from Gucci Mane (“Black Beatles”), Juicy J (“Shake It Fast”) and Lil Jon (“Set the Roof”) provide the album with a dose of star power that propels Rae Sremmurd’s name to a larger audience and proves that the pair is capable of sharing space with some of the industry’s heaviest hitters. The pair spends much of the album reflecting on their current state of affairs, comparing their luxurious lifestyle to more humble beginnings in Mississippi. Rae Sremmurd is at their best on “SremmLife 2” with mid-tempos including the introspective “Came a Long Way,” the raunchy but relaxed ode to “Do Yoga” or “Black Beatles,” but they verge on annoying on their braggadocio-infused party tracks, like album opener “Start a Party” or their Bobo Swae collab “Over Here.” No amount of twerkable beats can save these tracks from the pair’s grating screamed vocals and some of the more childish lyrics on the album. “This is how you start a party,” the pair proclaims on the opener. Despite their best efforts, the track fails to lift off.

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bers across local establishments. The council has already ruled in favor of non-discriminatory legislation in terms of work and housing, but a continued push from the community seeks even more inclusive legislation. “We are absolutely thrilled and excited to hear that we are moving forward so quickly, that you have been responsive, that you have listened to what we have to say; it is such a life changing event,” said Alice Freitas, the president of Trans*Fusion, Kent State’s transalliance group. Freitas and others were on hand to advocate for a civil commission from the city, to accelerate legislation being put forward to make Kent the 19th city in Ohio to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identification. The council was urged to clearly define and refine the remedies portion of the city code for a later meeting, which would ensure that anyone living, working in or visiting Kent would not face discrimination. At a previous meeting last month, the council agreed to adapt an ordinance that protects citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identification in a unanimous vote. acorpor1@kent.edu

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The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily endorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor (email them to jmill231@kent.edu) and guest columns. Submissions become property of the Stater and are subject to editing without notice.

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JOSEPH MCGRELLIS’ VIEW // To see all the cartoons this semester, visit KentWired.com

Wrestling earns one of nation’s best GPAs Henry Palattella Sports Editor

The Kent State wrestling team was honored for its members’ work in the classroom Wednesday, as the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced that the team earned the fourth highest GPA in the nation. See the full story at Kentwired

Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... FlashFest. Musical performances are Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m. on the Student Green. Jeers to ... lame tweets. After USG’s 4/20

FlashFest tweet, the organization’s president called constituents who criticized the event’s lineup “lame.”

Hernandez could never Response to ‘Right-leaning students still feel unheard in wake of Trump presidency’ escape his demons Letter to the Editior

Matt Poe Columnist Former star and NFL tight end Aaron Hernandez was found dead in his Massachusetts prison cell after an apparent suicide early Wednesday morning. At just 27 years old, Hernandez’s death concludes one of the more dramatic tales in recent sports memory, invoking a Shakespearean-like tragedy that played out in real time before our very eyes. I had just graduated high school and was at Destination Kent State back in June 2013 (which I failed) when Hernandez was first arrested on suspicion of the murder of Odin Lloyd. It was a shocking sight when police officers arrived to find a shirtless Hernandez and handcuffed him, both literally and metaphorically, for the rest of his life. Hernandez was convicted of killing Lloyd and sentenced to life in prison. He recently reappeared in the news after he was acquitted and found not guilty for fatally shooting Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado in 2012. Ironically, for a lack of a better word, Hernandez allegedly killed Lloyd because he feared Lloyd would be the one to reveal information in his connections to the other shooting incident, killing one man to cover up a crime of which he would eventually be found not guilty. I’m not sure how we should react to the death of someone who was undoubtedly a bad person, someone who killed people in cold blood out of his own paranoia and senselessness. I don’t celebrate Hernandez’s death, but I also don’t mourn for him. He chose the path he took, one that saw him molded in a troubled upbringing to NFL star and millionaire. He signed his own death sentence and deprived himself of life in the act of taking Lloyd’s. If anything, grieve for Lloyd’s family, because they will likely be lost in all of this over the next few days. People of all races, backgrounds and lifestyles fail to escape their former lives in pursuit of a newer one. This is never truer for athletes, some of whom cannot escape the people and problems of the past as their futures become flooded with wealth and notoriety. He pulled one of the great acts of public masquerading that I can recall, a cold-blooded murderer hooked on marijuana and PCP disguising and moonlighting as a football player. Strangely enough, he did it for an organization (the Patriots) that prides itself on transparency and a no-nonsense, football-only mentality they’ve forged in this league. At certain times, death is something to be celebrated. We celebrate the lives of those who made a positive impact on this world. But aside from the death of someone like Osama bin Laden and a few others, I hesitate to celebrate the death of someone like this, and I’ll do so in Hernandez’s case. Why he chose now to commit suicide is anyone’s guess. Maybe it was seeing his daughter and girlfriend during these last few months of his latest trial. Maybe the thought of never getting out was too much. Hernandez carried his own life sentence long before a judge or jury issued one to him. He built his own prison in a mind that we never understood, nor will ever understand. He lived in that prison long before he was ever issued an inmate number or assigned a cell. And, like many tragedies, his physical being died in the same place where his mind was held captive all along. mpoe3@kent.edu

On behalf of Black United Students, I am writing this letter to show our solidarity with PRIDE! Kent (People Respecting Identity, Diversity and Equality), as well as address the misrepresentation of various student organizations on this campus in the April 19 publication of The Kent Stater. One of the title page articles entitled, “Right-Leaning Students Feel Unheard in Wake of Republican Presidency,” permitted multiple Kent State University students to criticize the student organization PRIDE! Kent and gave their misrepresentative view of other student organizations within our university. First, this article permitted the misrepresentation of PRIDE! Kent as a student organization within the Kent State community. PRIDE! Kent has been dedicated towards serving the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community since its establishment in 1971. One of the students within this article, Colten Dalton, gave a misrepresentative view of the organization and its members. Diversity comes in a variety of different conceptions. However, his dismissive and general views regarding the members and allies of PRIDE! Kent will not be tolerated. PRIDE! Kent has been dedicated to addressing the activist, educational and social needs of the LGBTQIA+ community without undermining its members nor its allies. As a student organization, PRIDE! Kent should be given

the respect it deserves, even from those who do not necessarily align. Secondly, the article permits its contributors to misrepresent the leadership of left-wing student organizations on the Kent State University campus. This article stereotypes liberal students in a similar manner that conservative students are stereotyped. The primary students quoted expressed their sentiment of feeling misrepresented by holding conservative viewpoints on a predominantly liberal campus. There have been issues with conservatism being conflated with the ideals of the current president, Donald Trump. However, some of the student contributors utilized this platform to unrightfully criticize the activist work of leftist student organizations on this campus. The student contributors to this article have misconstrued the views of leftist student organizations as a form of hatred, instead of seeing the work of various student organizations as they are intended. Activism and social justice have been the guiding principles of various student organizations on this campus, including Black United Students as well as a staple of what this institution is known for. No student organization should misrepresent the work and mission of other student organizations, regardless of political affiliation. Respectfully, Samantha Durr Director of Political Affairs and Grievances (Black United Students)

One by one, states in the U.S. are legalizing marijuana. Twenty-nine states and Washington, D.C. have legalized medical marijuana, though the law in three of these states is not yet effective. Eight states have legalized recreational marijuana use. This is a good thing; the “War on Drugs” by the Nixon administration in the ‘70s led to marijuana being classified as a Schedule I narcotic — meaning the federal government believes it possesses “no currently accepted medical use in the United States,” as well as “a high potential for abuse.” As a Schedule I narcotic, it puts marijuana on the same danger level as heroin, LSD and ecstasy, meaning it is considered more dangerous than opiates — a drug considered Schedule II and is causing a public health crisis here in Northeastern Ohio. Under federal law, you can face up to five years in prison and pay up to $250,000 in fines for first-offense possession. For a second time, those penalties can double. And while states have legalized marijuana, the federal laws are still in place in those states. Even if the local and state government have opened the doors for legal marijuana use, federal penalties are still possible if federal law enforcement notices.

Stephen D’Abreau Columnist

This isn’t just a theoretical possibility, either; White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the Trump administration expects federal law enforcement to crack down on recreational marijuana use, even in legal states. In that press conference, Spicer equated recreational marijuana use to the opiate crisis. “When you see something like the opioid addiction crisis blossoming in so many states around this country, the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people,” Spicer said. Beyond this fundamental misunderstanding of marijuana, Spicer is making a grave mistake in equating these two issues. His statement undermines the crisis that is destroying communities. While marijuana can be habitually addictive, it is not the destructive force that opiates and other hard drugs are — and the laws need to reflect that. Throwing people in prison and hitting them with fines larger than an average year’s salary for possessing or smoking pot only ends in ruining lives. Instead, the federal government should consider the benefits of legalizing marijuana. It can bring in loads of tax revenue from legal sales, as well as massively reduce drugrelated arrests, which in turn can decrease prison populations and allow law enforcement to focus on more important issues. States are seeing the benefits of legalizing marijuana and taking action. It’s time for the federal government to catch up.

I’ve been called an “Uncle Tom” so many times that I’ve lost count. Sometimes it is in jest, sometimes it’s used as a venomous insult. I’ve been called this by friends, strangers and even family. Granted, sometimes it’s funny and meant as a harmless joke — and at those times I will chuckle. But when it is meant seriously, it is worse than being called the “N-word” as an insult. Now, I’m not here to complain about the mean things people say to me — that’s pointless to me and not my style. I do, however, want to address some of the sociopolitical implications of the term “Uncle Tom,” along with other phrases like it. This week I have found many share a similar experience with these terms as I do, and I have neglected the topic for a while. For me, the “N-word,” even as an actual bona fide slur, is not all that offensive. Now, I am probably more stoic about these things than most people, but if someone uses that slur to try and hurt me, all that they have shown is that their eyes are fully functional while their mind may not be. It’s an insult with no ability to cut deeper than the skin. However, “Uncle Tom” is a different sort of insult. Although quite disconnected from the abolitionist novel where the epithet comes from, the phrase can best be summed up as one that means a black person who has “sold out” to whites, hates themselves or their own race or whose ideas are controlled by whites. The term has expanded to include basically anyone who disagrees with prevailing stereotypes of how their demographic is “supposed to” think. Examples include a woman who isn’t a feminist, a gay conservative, a Hispanic Trump supporter and so on. Similar terms and phrases have even started popping up in academic circles as politically correct ways of calling someone “Uncle Tom.” These include phrases such as “internalized misogyny,” “homophobia” and “racism.” Even though I am not a conservative or Republican myself, I do not march in lockstep with the liberal drums by any stretch. Thus, the brutal truth of the matter emerges: I have never once been called an “Uncle Tom” as an insult by a conservative. It has always been a liberal using it. The accusations of being an “Uncle Tom” or having “internalized racism” are inherently racist and disgusting. It assumes that all blacks must think alike and attempts to discredit ideas not based on lack of merit or logic, but on a nasty ad hominem attack. Likewise, calling a woman who isn’t a feminist an analogous term is misogynist, and this goes for all the demographics. So my conclusion and advice is as follows: First, we all have to realize these terms are silencing minorities and are indeed very bigoted and prejudiced. If you are a liberal — since this is a distinctly liberal phenomenon — I’d encourage you to stop. If you have received these insults, don’t let yourself be silenced.

nhunter6@kent.edu

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Federal government needs to catch up on marijuana Nicholas Hunter Columnist

Uncle Tom’s dormitory

highs, Students learn about highs, of marijuana in drug class lows

Page 4 | Thursday, April 20, 2017

Madeline Crandall Entertainment Reporter

The undergraduate course “Drug Use and Misuse” takes an in-depth look at 11 different drugs throughout the semester. Amanda Burke, assistant professor of health sciences, teaches the class. Her areas of expertise include alcohol, opiates and marijuana. Burke explained the basics of the course and said it was her favorite class to teach at Kent State. “('Drug Use and Misuse') is an introduction to the study of drugs commonly misused and/or abused by children, adolescents and adults,” Burke said. “It is an examination of their effects on the mind and the body from pharmacological, psychological and social perspectives. The first part of the course covers basic knowledge about drugs, including perceptions, developmental defini-

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tions, defining misuse, beneficial drugs and problems that come from certain drugs. Later in the semester, topics range further into the effect of drugs and how they work on the mind and body. “A few key points that I like to reinforce during the semester are that drugs, in their own right, are neither good nor bad. Drugs are a complex issue and all drugs have multiple effects, some positive and some negative,” Burke said. “Drug use does not just affect the individual using drugs. Addiction is a disease that needs to be managed like other diseases." The course goes further into specific classes of drugs. Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, marijuana, inhalants, methamphetamine, stimulants, hallucinogens, heroin, dietary supplements and overthe-counters are all covered. Burke explained that marijuana is a huge section that they cover and it is difficult to unravel all the different mysteries associated with this drug. The class begins with a history of the drug, going into the laws and regulations that have come from his complicated past. Burke teaches on two different kinds of marijuana, Indica and Sativa, and looks at how marijuana works. “We do specifically look at the effects on the respiratory system (when smoked), the cardiovascular system and the reproductive system,” Burke said. “Cancer is also a component of the lesson.”

A few key points that I like to reinforce during the semester are that drugs, in their own right, are neither good nor bad.

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- Amanda Burke

Alex Ledet / The Kent Stater

The last section of the marijuana portion of the class explores medical marijuana, decriminalization versus legalization and looking at states that have legalized marijuana medically and for recreational purposes. “We specifically talk about Ohio's new medical marijuana law and its pros and cons, as well as look at some good things that have come from Colorado legalizing marijuana recreationally, and some problems that have occurred since legalization,” Burke said. “I try to include real-life examples of people who have benefited from medical use, but also explore stories of people who have negatively been affected by marijuana use.” Burke said some of the benefits of smoking marijuana depend on the way it is being consumed. She explained that smoking marijuana can increase its addictive nature and put a strain on the lungs. She also explained the dangers of edibles. “Edibles bring with them their own concerns, since they can have a higher potency than plant-based use,” Burke said. “There have been many issues with people, children and pets getting sick from edibles, and even a few notable deaths in Colorado from the high potency levels.” Angela Nichols, a senior geology major, is a student in the class. “It is more of an informative class, but in the opinion-based discussion boards, people definitely voice what they think of the subjects,” Nichols

said. “You can tell the people who are really against a lot of topics like legalization or smoking marijuana and they get offended.” Samantha Nonno, a senior communication studies major, is currently enrolled in “Drug Use and Misuse.” “I personally know someone who has Crohn's disease and endometriosis and taking edibles greatly reduces her pain,” Nonno said. “Alternatively, I think that it can lessen a person’s focus, as well as makes them less motivated, so that's definitely a downfall, especially for certain tasks.” Burke said she makes sure the class teaching stays neutral toward participating in drugs since the course is informative and not a prevention class. She encourages a deeper exploration so students can understand these drugs at a deeper level and gain more knowledge and opinion. Burke provides harm reduction techniques by discussing safe consumption levels and addiction prevention. She stressed that addiction to marijuana is a real thing and can cause serious health and personality problems. “By saying marijuana is harmless or not addictive, we demean those individuals who do have an issue with this drug,” Burke said. “It is a disservice to everyone to ignore the possible benefits and the possible negative effects of this drug." mcranda4@kent.edu

The Kent Stater From Page 1

SCHOOL Alumnus opens state’s... Cleveland Cannabis College classes began the last week of January. Pine said 70 students have enrolled and taken the required course “Intro to Medical Cannabis.” After passing the preliminary class, students can choose from three majors: cannabis horticulture, cannabis business or medical applications of cannabis. The college’s first semester starts this June. “We have 28 (students) so far for the first semester,” Pine said. “We’re only accepting 40. We only accept between 20 to 22 students for our intro classes because we believe that … it allows them to open up. It allows them for a much more open flow of information.” He said that the school has a diverse student body. Recent high school graduates, nurses and individuals seeking an alternative to higher learning have all found an education at the medical marijuana school. “We get so many different type of people, young to old,” admissions director Donelle Watson said. “A lot of them are coming in like ‘Oh, I didn’t know this place existed’ when they first come in. (They say) ‘I just wanna make sure you guys are legit or real' … There’s such a big opiate crisis in Ohio. (Marijuana) is medicine and people need the proper education to know how to properly use it.” Pine’s own father, a retired surgeon, has even attended the college’s introductory course. He said his father, who “can lay someone on his table, cut (people) open and put their heart back together,” never received a formal education on the benefits of the cannabis plant. While Pine said his parents are supportive of the school, he cites his father’s lack of education about the medical marijuana industry as reason to inform the public. Ultimately, Pine wishes to decrease the stigma attached to marijuana. From his own experience, he knows that the plant can only benefit society. “Using medical cannabis can treat and cure a lot of different diseases. Is it a cure-all? No, not by any means," Pine said. "Could it work with and replace a lot of more harmful medications? Absolutely ... the importance is getting this medication to patients that absolutely need it.” mjeanphi@kent.edu

Thursday, April 20, 2017 | Page 5

The Kent Stater

THE THURSDAY

WEEKEND BUZZ FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

“Fash-Mob” Protest

Art Gala

Earth Day Volunteering

Seven Courses of Kent

The KSU Global Fashion Citizens will protest fast-fashion brands like Old Navy and Forever 21 on Risman Plaza tonight at 6:30 p.m. The event is a cross between a fashion show and a flash mob.

Ring in the first annual BFA Senior Thesis Exhibit Gala from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Center for the Visual Arts. Eighteen students will display their artwork around the building for the public to observe for free.

Celebrate Earth Day by picking up litter around the city during Clean Up Kent Day. Sponsored by Main Street Kent, volunteers stop at the Visitor Centre at 201 E. Erie St. to pick up supplies and choose a section to clean between 9 a.m. and noon.

Enjoy a seven-course meal prepared by seven local restaurants, including the soon-to-open Treno Ristorante and Kenko restaurants. Held at Laziza, tickets are $70 and the evening begins at 5 p.m.