Marijuana still not the least bit legal

By Emily Martin - Public Affairs Reporter

The medicinal marijuana dispute is here again in Illinois government, and some UIS students are piping up.
Chicago Senator John Cullerton brought the semi-legalization issue back to the Senate last month, nearly three decades since the Illinois congressional floor had last considered medicinal marijuana legislation.
 Last Tuesday lawmakers once again shelved the “marijuana as medicine” argument. A House committee delayed voting on a bill that would allow people with debilitating illnesses to possess the drug without penalty.
Still, the debate exists. Marijuana is said to help to relieve some of the painful symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatment, AIDS and Muscular Sclerosis.  Some patients describe unparalleled relief from the drug, saying marijuana works best at easing nausea, stimulating appetite and calming muscle spasms. 
But opponents of legalization say doctors can prescribe alternative remedies that would not go against federal law, and be more beneficial to the user.
“Marijuana is more harmful to the lungs than tobacco,” said history major Michael Tosh, “the smoke is hotter and it does more damage, to lungs and brain cells.”
The history major and active Society of Conservative Students member, said he doesn’t think marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes because the side effects outweigh the treatment.
Tosh says doctors can find better treatments for ailing individuals without turning to marijuana. Tosh said he lost a great friend because of marijuana, and knows its detrimental effects.
Senior biology student Brad Buckingham said there is always a chance of addiction, as with any drug, but with careful monitoring the treatment may be best for some patients. “At the first sign of addiction, like with Vicodin, doctors can take (the user) off.”
Buckingham said there are many toxins in marijuana smoke, and that medicinal exceptions should be a last resort. But he said not all patients have the same response to medications, and for a small group of clinically ill people, marijuana may give the best aid.
 “It would have to be used with caution. If a kid sees Grandma smoking pot for her glaucoma, they might think it’s okay to use. But there are preventative measures, like teaching the difference between medicinal and illegal uses in school,” said Buckingham.
Third-year chemistry major Jeave Reserva said marijuana’s unlawful stigma may be the cause of the medicinal use conflict. Because the drug has been illegal so long, it is hard for many people to accept its supposed benefits. Reserva said if a doctor regulated marijuana, and if the patient suffered less in the long run, it could be a legitimate drug for certain patients.
Cullerton’s bill would allow sick individuals to own up to one ounce of “usable marijuana” at a time, upon a doctor’s approval. The patient (and appropriate caregivers) would obtain an identification card from the Illinois Department of Health Services, which would allow them to possess the drug without punishment or arrest.
Cullerton said marijuana would be an alternative to current medications, to be used after all other treatments have failed. 
Illinois congressmen voted to allow the use of marijuana as medicine in 1978, but the statute was never ratified by the Department of Public Health. Now, the bill must go through the processes again until it finds the proper votes and signatures.
 Current legislation was sent to a subcommittee of the Health Care Availability and Access Committee in the House for further deliberation. Cullerton said with elections fast approaching, the bill’s postponement was no surprise. But he said lawmakers will keep pushing forward with this resolution.

Immigration reform affects students

By Laura Camper - General Assignment Reporter

Ever since the first Europeans traveled to the New World in search of a better life, America has been the destination of millions of immigrants. Over the years the United States has dealt with many problems associated with immigration. Prejudice, violent culture clashes, fear and economic consequences have followed the immigrants to the shores of the United States. Immigration laws have been reformed time and again to accommodate the massive amount of people hoping to share in the promise of the American Dream.
But with only 450,000 green card visas given out per year, the waiting list continues to grow, as does the number of illegal immigrants in this country.  Now it is estimated that 11 to 12 million illegal immigrants live in the United States, and Congress is again debating the issue of immigration reform. As the Senate seeks a solution, several international students at UIS shared their views on illegal immigration.
Bladimir Hernandez, a communication student from Mexico City, says that a guest worker program should solve many problems. He points out that when people are living on $1 a day and they see a country where they can make $6 an hour they will make the journey in order to provide for their families. It’s a matter of fighting to survive. “Coming here illegally is dangerous,” he says. “People die in the desert.” If the immigrants were allowed to work for a certain period of time legally it would be better for everyone.
Other students think the laws should focus on the people who hire illegal immigrants. Rajeev Katamaneni, a computer science major from India, says, “If people are not hiring them, they (the illiegal immigrants) are not coming.”
Corinna Edge, a business administration student from Germany, agrees. “They (the immigrants) are just coming for a better life. The companies are supporting the illegal mess,” she says.
The students surveyed also say that humanitarian aid should not be tied to legal immigrant status. Amar Uppalapati, a computer science major from India says, “Every person has a right to have food and shelter.” He says it’s better to stop them from coming in the first place.
Olga Richmiller, an accounting student from Russia, agrees that charitable organizations should be allowed to help anyone who needs it. “They are not enforcement,” she says. She points out the charitable organization’s purpose is to help people.
 As far as offering long-term illegal residents the opportunity to become legal, some of the students say it’s unfair to those who come in legally. Pakistan native Michelle Sharaf says that encourages people to come into the country illegally. She says it’s like a classroom where some students work hard and follow the rules but “the naughty kid who’s always spoiling things gets the A+.”
Other students say because of the large number of illegal immigrants it is better to try to get them on the record. But they suggest offering visas on a case-by-case basis. “Look at his behavior since being in the country,” says Uppalapati.
Richmiller also says the immigrant’s background should be checked. “Only the just should stay,” she says.
Edge says other standards should include learning English within a certain time period and educating immigrants so they will not be dependent on the state.
Hernandez says he is torn. As an immigrant, he understands the desperation that drives people here, but he also says he sees Americans’ need to protect what they have worked to build. He suggests governments work together to improve conditions in poor countries so citizens won’t have to leave to support themselves and their families.

Cox Center recieves reimbursement grant

By Janee Mitchell - Feature Writer

The Cox Children’s Center was awarded the Quality Counts reimbursement grant. The grant program was developed through the Community Child Care Connection, Inc.
According to the Community Child Care Connection, Inc., “The Quality Counts Child Care Grant Program has been created to improve the quality and expand the services of home-based, center-based and school-age child care programs across Illinois.” The program is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Stacey Hembrough, director of the Cox Center, said that in her three-year history as the director, the Cox Center has received the Quality Counts grant annually. In 2004, the grant was for a smaller amount than 2005’s award of $11,000 and this year’s award of $8,300. Hembrough said in a statement, “my focus in applying for the grant was on improving the quality of care we offer.”
Hembrough also said, “Our program received extra consideration because we serve children and families receiving IDHS financial assistance, for being a full-year program, and for being accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.”
Hembrough said “The grant will provide us with the necessary materials and equipment to enroll 4 additional babies in the infant program.  It will enhance our programming in the toddler room- allowing for new equipment/supplies.” Hembrough said the possible addition of four new babies would help in dealing with the large waiting list they currently have.
Hembrough said the center would be allowed to “purchase and expand” because of the reimbursement grant. The center requested things through the grant and were told the items they were allowed to get, said Hembrough.
The Cox Center is currently funded through parent tuitions, said Hembrough. Perhaps this will lessen the fees for the parents although no indication of a reduced fee has been given. Hembrough said the parents and staff members would benefit from “the excitement of having new things, the comfort in knowing that we continue to strive for the best and actively seek out our resources through grants.” Hembrough said the children would benefit from items such as new toys, equipment and materials like books, shelving and other supplies.
Hembrough said that the stipulations from the grant is that they must be open for four years or refund a prorated amount to the funding agency, only purchase items that were requested and approved previously and purchase all the items before April 28.

Marijuana still not the least bit legal

Immigration reform affects students

WUIS Bureau Chief Sean Crawford awarded