TUESDAY,APRIL22,2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Medical marijuana user speaks about treatment
By Eddie Yang
eyang@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
A day following April 20, or 4-20, a number associated with marijuana use, George McMahon spoke on campus about his involvement with medical marijuana.
McMahon is one of only five patients left in the nation who have been approved to use marijuana legally through a little-known Food and Drug Administration program called Investigational New Drug. McMahon was the recipient of the National Certificate of Heroism for his participation in the President's Drug Awareness Program signed by Nancy Reagan in 1990. He receives 300 marijuana cigarettes a month at no cost from the government.
"When my marijuana is good I can ride my bicycle. All thank you to Uncle Sam." said McMahon as he showed his government-issued marijuana to the audience.
McMahon uses the marijuana to treat his rare genetic disorder, Nail Patella Syndrome, which causes bone deformities, immune system dysfunction and renal failure. Throughout his life McMahon has gone through 19 major surgeries and has been prescribed morphine, Demerol, Valium, codeine and other medications to deal with his illness.
"By the age of 14 I was addicted to prescribed morphine," McMahon said. "When I started smoking I noticed
"We are not prohibiting anyone from coming to speak on campus. We just want written proof that he is allowed to possess or smoke marijuana legally."
improvement in my condition. The only side effects would be that I would get the munchies, which is good — otherwise I'll lose a lot of weight."
Lt. Schuyler Bailey KU Public Safety Office
A crowd of about 75 people listened to the presentation at 7 yesterday night at room 303 in Strong Hall. The presentation, which included videos about the governmental program, was sponsored by the KU Students for a Sensible Drug Policy.
With his involvement with the FDA, McMahon is allowed to smoke legally in every state. He said he didn't run into problems with law enforcement officials.
"The law enforcement officials are actually quite encouraging." McMahon said.
McMahon almost had to deal with the KU Public Safety Office when they learned of his upcoming speech at a University Events meeting last week.
"We are not prohibiting anyone from coming to speak on campus," said Lt. Schuyler Bailey from the KU Public Safety
Office last Friday. "We just want written proof that he is allowed to possess or smoke marijuana legally."
Chase Cookson, Wichita junior and president of KU Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, said that it was difficult to provide proof.
Cookson then got on the Internet and spread word of the situation.
"We had the national chapter align all the organizations and the ACLU was very interested in it and hiring a lawyer was mentioned," Cookson said. "Within five hours word got out and people from all over the country began giving Lt. Bailey a call."
Cookson said that he had talked to someone at the Drug Enforcement Administration who acknowledged McMahon's involvement with the program.
Cookson said the KU Public Safety Office decided Friday night that the speech would go on as scheduled and would accept documentation upon McMahon's arrival.
"This man has spoken on national television and universities all across the country," Cookson said. "It irks me that they were treating this man like a criminal."
Willy Madel, Lawrence sophomore, was glad the KU Public Safety Office allowed him to come.
"I think its great," Madel said. "We need more people like him to tell the other side."
—Edited by Andrew Ward
Employees debate benefits, drawbacks of developing plan
State employees to vote soon on joining University payroll
By Amy Potter
apotter@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
The University may be adding a new set of employees to its payroll.
Classified staff members, such as secretaries, custodians, librarians, maintenance workers and administrative assistants, employed by the State of Kansas will begin voting tomorrow to become employees of the University.
Some classified employees are voicing their objections through the Coalition Against Alternatives to Civil Service through letters and e-mails to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
Not all of the employees are up for the switch.
At a meeting Friday afternoon, George Cone, assistant director of Facilities Operations encouraged classified employees to let their voice be heard through their vote.
"Don't be apathetic," he said. "Vote. Please vote. How you each vote is your business. Just vote."
Lindy Eakin, vice provost for scholarly support, said the alternative was proposed because the University had no control over how it paid classified staff.
"Let us design the rules that fit our institution and our campus rather than have someone else designing rules that fit every agency in the state."
Part of the current proposal would use a portion of the $8.7 million in tuition funds to increase classified staff salaries. There are no absolute guarantees this would happen because the plans are still preliminary.
Eakin said.
Even with promises of a pay raise, Glennett Corel, facilities and operations employee, is not convinced the switch would be better for classified staff.
She is concerned about the ambiguous language of the proposal.
"My problem is with the mays, shoulds, coulds. They are making promises they can't keep based on tuition," Corel said.
Ola Faucher, director of human resources, said the reason for the ambiguous language was because the current plans were only proposals.
The plans must go through at least two more steps of approval before anything can be guaranteed.
"Nowadays you are never 100 percent assured you can promise money," she said. "Our intention is clear. We intend to do what we say."
Mike Burke, facilities and operations employee, said the priority of the University was teaching and research. He said he was afraid employees would come into conflict with those goals.
"Whenever projects and personal salaries come up against doing their job are they going to take our side over education and research? No. The employee comes in last." Burke said.
"Whenever projects and personal salaries come up against doing their job are they going to take our side over education and research? No. The employee comes in last."
Mike Burke Facilities operations employee
Ballots are due back to the University Governance Office on May 5. A committee from Classified Senate will tally the votes.
The next step is to seek approval from the Board of Regents, if a majority votes yes. The Kansas legislature would make the final decision, Faucher said.
Jay Stewart, facilities and operations staff, said his number one concern was job security. He doesn't trust the University.
"They can do anything they want. They can hire and fire you if economic times get bad," Stewart said.
Cone, who has worked at the University for five years, said he had to join in the effort to oppose the alternative solution because he wanted to protect the well-being of the people who worked for him.
"It's called caring for them and I'm a very proud state worker," Cone said.
Edited by Andrew Ward
PRIDE WEEK EVENTS 2003 SPONSORED BY QUEERS AND ALLIES
MONDAY:
PRIDE WEEK KICKOFF
10:00 AM Wescoe Beach
SPEAKERS BUREAU OPEN FORUM
7:30 PM Walnut Room, Kansas Union
TUESDAY: QUEER MOVIE: BETTER THAN CHOCOLATE 7:30 PM Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union
WEDNESDAY: BROWN BAG DIVERSITY SERIES: CHRISTINE ROBINSON: SODOMY LAWS 12 noon Multicultural Resource Center
THURSDAY: BISEXUALITY 101: ROBYN OCHS 7:30 PM Malott Room, Kansas Union
FRIDAY:
TENTH ANNUAL BROWN BAG DRAG SHOW
12 noon Kansas Union Front Plaza
COMEDIAN: DEIDRE SULLIVAN
8:00 PM Hawk's Nest, Kansas Union
SATURDAY:
Student Development Center
PRIDE MARCH AND RALLY 11:00 AM Watson Park along Massachusetts to South Park
PAUL SIEGEL: WHY QUEER RIGHTS IS A FREE SPEECH ISSUE 2:30 PM Walnut Room, Kansas Union
QUEER THEATER 7:30 - 9:00 PM Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union: $2 donation Featuring Crooked Rain
PRIDE DANCE 10:00 PM-1:00 AM Ecumenical Christian Ministries:$2 donation Refreshments provided, bring your own drink
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