University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Tuesday, November 18, 2014
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City law to crack down on synthetic marijuana By Patricia Johnson THE DAILY CARDINAL
WILL CHIZEK/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Madison Police Department Captain Brian Ackeret (right) discusses the risks associated with synthetic cannabinoid use.
Synthetic cannabinoids in Madison may see a short-lived future after Public Safety Review Committee members approved recommendations Monday to move an ordinance forward that prohibits the possession, sale or display of the drugs. Synthetic cannabinoids typically found in Madison are chemicals shipped from China in powder form that distributors mix with acetone to spray on leaves, according to Madison Police Department Captain Brian Ackeret. Individuals usually smoke the leaves and are then exposed to “dangerous” risks. “It’s not regulated by the FDA, it’s based on people doing it on their own and then they sell it to retailers as ‘K2,’ or ‘Spice’ packaging,” Ackeret said. “It looks like it’s safe
based on the packaging. You display it at a 7-Eleven, head shop, a gas station.” Most establishments do not record their synthetic cannabinoid sales because shop owners do not fully understand the legality of the product, according to Ackeret. The ordinance proposes to set the cost of fines for possession, sale or display of synthetic cannabinoids higher than minor marijuana possession and open container fines. Any individual caught violating the ordinance would be charged between $500 and $1,000 and establishments are subject to fines between $1,000 and $5,000. “The thing is, it’s not comparable to marijuana because of the dangerousness of the product,” Jennifer Zilavy, assistant city attorney, said. “A kid can get a hold of this and do it one time and end up with brain
Author Bill Bryson discusses power of humor in DLS talk By James Moes THE DAILY CARDINAL
Best-selling author Bill Bryson visited UW-Madison Monday as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series to promote his work, read select passages from his books and tell stories about his life as an author. Bryson began his lecture by discussing his childhood growing up in the ’50s, which he chronicled in his book “The Life and Times of The Thunderbolt Kid.” “The ’50s was a great time to be a kid,” Bryson said. “It was just a really happy, unusually euphoric time, I think particularly for children.” Bryson explained the euphoria he experienced while growing up was also present in his hometown’s appreciation for humor. “Making jokes, good jokes, was something that was appreciated,” Bryson said. He conveyed that humor during his lecture, which, like most
of his writing, was filled with stories and anecdotes from his life. UW-Madison history assistant professor Elizabeth Hennessy, who introduced Bryson prior to his lecture, praised the interactive approach he uses with his audience. “What I find so inspirational about Bill’s writing is his ability to take readers along with him as travelers in a way that opens up the richness and humor of the world,” Hennessy said. Bryson also discussed his career as an author and the writing process involved. “[Being an author] is hard work, but when you get it right and it feels right to you it is very, very satisfying,” he said. The writer used his visit to Madison to give advice for UW students interested in becoming authors. He urged students to remember that perseverance is “really the key thing.” “If you really want to do something just keep at it,”
damage, or dead.” The idea behind the ordinance is to discourage teenagers and young adults from using the substances by cutting them off at the source. “Our primary concern from the law enforcement perspective is the retailers,” Ackeret said. “I think that even just having this ordinance in a few successful prosecutions, people are going to be making financial decisions and say it’s probably not worth that small financial gain.” Since synthetic cannabinoids appeal mainly to young people, the city will seek ways to provide “holdopens” for first-time convicted individuals violating the ordinance, similar to a probation period. In these instances, these individuals cannot receive any future convictions for a period of time and may receive smaller fines or dropped charges.
UW alumnus, film director to screen his documentary ‘Facing Fear’
ALAYNA TRUTTMANN/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Renowned author Bill Bryson (left) shares comedic life experiences and advice with students at UW-Madison. Bryson said in an interview with The Daily Cardinal. He also addressed the general student body, warning them not to waste the opportunities college provides. “It is the best opportunity you’re ever going to have to just
indulge yourself in the process of learning and absorbing information and figuring things out and deciding what you might do with your life,” Bryson said. “Once you leave college, you’re not going to have those opportunities anymore.”
Film director and UW-Madison alumnus Jason Cohen will speak with students and community members Tuesday night following a screening of his Academy Award-nominated documentary “Facing Fear.” Centered around two men’s journey to forgiveness, the 2013 short subject documentary tells the story of an assaulted gay teenager, his then-Neo-Nazi assailant and the unlikely partnership that emerged from their chance meeting 25 years after the attack. Matthew Boger and Tim Zaal, the film’s subjects, will accompany Cohen on his visit and participate in the conversation after the screening, according to a university release. The screening, which will take place 7 p.m. at UW Hillel, will be free and open to the public. The film is 23 minutes long. Cohen will also hold a separate screening at 3 p.m. Tuesday in room 4070 of Vilas Hall for journalism and communication arts students.
Student Services Finance Committee hears ASM 2015-’16 internal budget By Maija Inveiss THE DAILY CARDINAL
The Associated Students of Madison proposed an internal budget of $1,400,514.74 for fiscal year 2016, an $87,246.08 increase from the current year,
to the Student Services Finance Committee at a meeting Monday. The budget included funding for a vote coordinator position to help plan future campaigns. The committee also added funding for a newly introduced food pantry
Oh the humanity!
staffed by students. ASM Vice Chair Derek Field said the food pantry would be a response for student need since there is no resource like it on campus. Representatives questioned the location and how food would
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be distributed to students. Field said he believes they might use a Wiscard swipe method, but proponents are still brainstorming ways to make sure the students who need nonperishable items are getting them.
“I have just not seen an implementation plan whatsoever dealing with this,” SSFC Secretary Brett DuCharme said. “I am very concerned about this funding not
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“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”