THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAS
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23 2007
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2007
NEWS
3A
》HEALTH
Medical Marijuana sparks debate
BY SASHA ROE
sroe@kansan.com
The state's longest-serving attorney general, Bob Stephan, announced his support for the legalization of medical marijuana in a press conference last Friday. Stephan said he supported changing the state law so that Kansas physicians had the right to recommend their patients the use of medical marijuana.
Stephan served as the Kansas Attorney General from 1979 until 1995. He was diagnosed with stage four lymphocytic lymphoma at age 39. In a statement Stephan said he had advocated medical marijuana since 1983.
"Let me make clear that I am in no way advocating drug legalization." Stephan said in the statement. "But I also do not believe that the state should preempt the role of the physician when it comes to deciding what's best for ill Kansans."
Stephan has joined forces with the Kansas Compassionate Care Coalition which seeks the legalization of medical marijuana. The coalition plans to lobby for a bill in the upcoming legislative session. Laura Green, director, said the group formed within the past year because of an overwhelming response from
Kansas resident. She said support from forme attorney general Stephan was a very important addition to their work.
"He is a very respected politician that served the public for 16
years," Green said. "He is also a republican, that's important in a conservative state like Kansas."
"It would be a pharmaceutical product like any other that could be monitored and controlled."
Green said right now the group is building membership and gaining support. She said
mittee bill out the legalization of medical marijuana would be formed in the upcoming Legislative session. He said a proposed bill would cause very divided views in the House of Representatives and Senate.
the ultimate goal was to have a bill introduced and have a fair hearing in a committee.
TOM SLOAN State Representative
Rep. Tom Sloan (R-Lawrence) said the issue would be important in the scheme of health care, but wouldn't be as prominent as issues such as greater insurance coverage for Kansans. Sloan said it would be a hot topic because of the controversy that came with the issue of medical marijuana.
"Because it is a banned, controlled substance there will be larger discussion," Sloan said.
Sloan said it was possible a com-
However, Sloan said he believed Kansas citizens would be fairly open to the issue.
"I don't think most citizens would be too worried," Sloan said. "It would be a pharmaceutical product like any
other that could be monitored and regulated."
"I do try to keep an open mind," Landwehr said. "But from a federal perspective I can't see it being legal."
Rep. Brenda Landwehr, (R-Wichita), chair of the health and human services committee, said she probably wouldn't support a possible bill.
A poll done in 2006 by Jayhawk Consulting Services showed 62 percent of Kansas residents would not be opposed to a new law allowing medical marijuana if it were recommended by a physician.
Betre Hulser, Tupoku is one of those supporters. Hulser's son, Mike, suffers from multiple sclerosis. She tried to get a similar bill to pass in 1995. She said she wished legislators could see the benefits marijuana had on neurological diseases, and the cost of Mike's pharmaceutical bills. Hulser said at one point Mike's medication cost about $3,000 a month. She said she hoped legislators would understand this issue was about providing help to Kansans suffering from painful diseases.
"I am not in support of recreational drugs whatsoever," Hulser said. "I just hope to see it passed for medicinal purposes."
Under current Kansas law all marjuana including medicinal marjuana is illegal.
The Kansas Compassionate Care Coalition said 12 states have produced laws that allow medicinal marijuana.
"I think the politicians are one step behind on this issue," Green said.
Green said Stephan's press conference was just the beginning of many events this fall. She said supporters could sign the coalition's Statement of Principle on the Web site, www. ksccc.org.
- Edited by Rachael Gray
>> IRAQ
Officials contemplate reducing troops in Iraq
BY ROBERT BURNS ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — U.S. military officials are narrowing Iraq strategy options and appear to be focusing on reducing the U.S. combat role in 2008 while increasing training of Iraqi forces, a senior military official told The Associated Press on Monday.
The miltary has not yet devloped
The miltary has not yet devloped
a plan for a substantial withdrawal of forces. But officials are planning possible offers to Turkey and Jordan on using their territory to move some troops out of Iraq, the official said. The main exit would remain Kuwait, but more routes make it easier and more secure for U.S. troops leaving western and northern Iraq.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the discussions do not prejudge decisions yet to be made by President Bush. Those decisions include how long to maintain the current U.S. troop buildup.
It is anticipated that the five Army brigades that were sent to Baghdad this year will be withdrawn by late next summer. But it is far less clear whether the Bush administration will follow that immediately with additional drawdowns, as many Democrats in Congress are advocating.
Bush has mentioned publicly that he likes the idea, first proposed late last year by the Iraq Study Group, of switching the emphasis of U.S. military efforts from mainly combat to support roles. But he also has said that this shouldn't happen until Baghdad is stable enough for Iraqi political leaders to make hard choices about reconciling rival interests among Sunnis, Shites and Kurds.
CAMPUS
Activist speaks about problems facing Sudan
Issues involve more than genocide
BY JEFF DETERS
jdeters@kansan.com
In July 1999, Bobbie-Frances McDonald went to Africa to see first-hand the conflict in Sudan. A retired registered nurse, she wanted to help bring medical assistance to the region. She did just that, and when she returned to her home three weeks later, she reflected on the importance of her life.
the impact of her work.
"I realized how futile my effort had been," McDonald said.
E ve n t hough she returned home to Lawrence unsatisfied, McDonald
McDonald said she wanted people to be aware of the civil war that dates back more than 10 years.
"You have to respect history," she said.
Since 1999, McDonald has been active in her quest to educate the public. She has spoken to elementary schools and speaks to about five universities a year. She has also attended meetings at the United
"It is so hard to understand that as a student in the United States we should do everything we possibly can."
felt a longing desire to help bring change to the region. As founder of Sudan Advocacy Action Forum, McDonald will give a lecture entitled "How Many Sudans Are There?" at the Ecumenical Christian Ministries today from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
MARK SKOGLAND President of FIGHT
McDonald said the goal of the speech is to refocus college students' attentions on all the issues relating to the country of Sudan, not just the genocide taking place in Darfur.
"My main concern is that people understand Darfur isn't the first bad thing that's happened and it won't be the last," McDonald said.
Nations and on Capitol Hill.
"This is something people your age are going to inherit," she said.
M a r k
Skoglund,
Olathe junior,
is president of
Fighting
Ignorance of
Global Humanitarian Threats, a student group whose goal is to promote awareness of global issues such as the one in Darfur.
Skoglund said that students shouldn't think that there is nothing they can do to help. He noted that student groups and organizations tended to mobilize very quickly and could be a powerful voice on campus as well as in state and national politics.
"It's so hard to understand that as a student in the United States we should do everything we possibly can," Skoglund said.
- Edited by Ashlee Kieler
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION Leadership·Education·Networking Service·Recognition
ATTENTION!
Come find out if ABWA is right for you! All majors & years in school welcome.
August 22,2007
Please join us at our Informational Meeting & Ice Cream Social:
Tuesday, August 28 @ 7pm Kansas Union, Jayhawk Room Get a jump start on your career and get involved at KU!
Visit our website at http://groups.ku.edu/-kuabwa/
KU Freshman:
Freshman Elections are fast Approaching!
Every fall, freshman elect 5 of their peers to represent them in Student Senate, and this year's election is just around the corner!
If you think you might be interested, you should stop by the Senate office on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union in the
If you think you might be interested.
Student Involvement and Leadership Center.
Applications to get on the ballot are due Friday,August 24th and the election will be the 4th and 5th of
September. Student Senate is eager to get new people with new ideas who want to leave a
lasting impression on KU, so don't hesitate to run for a freshman seat!
Questions? Contact Adam McGonigle. Elections Commissioner at amcgonigle87@yahoo.com
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Get involved with the leading political advocacy organization on campus, the Student Legislative Awareness Board. Officer applications are now available in the Student Senate office located in room 410 of the Kansas Union. Positions available include: Special Events Coordinator Press/ Public Relations Coordinator
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MAKE IT YOUR MISSION. Interested in politics?
Public Relations Coordinator
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August 23, 6 pm. Call 316-806-2412 with questions.
KU 4 Choice invites you! to Henry's Upstairs (11 E.8th Street) to get to know us.
Want to meet people and learn to move your body at the same time?
Dancing lessons are a great opportunity! No more remaining seated when you go out to clubs or partiest
No experience, no partner and no special shoes required. Just come and enjoy yourself.
Ballroom Dance Lessons on Sundays from 3-5pm in the Kansas Union Ballroom, and Salsa Lessons on Fridays from 7-9pm in Haskiinger Hall.
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Check out our website for more information:
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