College launches research institute devoted to pot
ARCATA, Calif. (AP) - A public university located in one of California's prime pot-growing regions has formed an academic institute devoted to marijuana.
The Humboldt Institute for Interdisciplinary Marijuana Research at Humboldt State University plans to sponsor scholarly lectures and coordinate research among 11 faculty members from fields such as economics, geography, politics, psychology and sociology.
The Times-Standard of Eureka reports that one professor is studying recent campaigns to legalize marijuana, while another is investigating the environmental effects of pot cultivation.
"If anyone is going to have a marijuana institute, it really should be Humboldt State," economist Erick Eschker, the institute's co-chair, told the newspaper. Eschker is studying the connection between marijuana production and employment in the county.
The institute is probably the first dedicated to examining marijuana through the lens of multiple disciplines, according to sociologist Josh Meisel, who is leading the enterprise with Eschker. Humboldt faculty started discussing the idea in 2010 when California was preparing to vote on a bitterly contested ballot proposition that would have treated marijuana like alcohol.
"With these public discussions, there were a lot more questions than there were answers," Meisel said, adding that he and other faculty became interested in applying academic rigor to the economic, health and legal issues raised in eventually unsuccessful campaign.
Now that voters in Colorado and Washington have done what California would not, passing marijuana legalization measures this month, the institute has even more reason to exist. Politics professor Jason Plume is giving a lecture on the marijuana reform movement on Tuesday night, one of seven public talks the institute plans to host this year.
The Humboldt Institute for Interdisciplinary Marijuana Research at Humboldt State University plans to sponsor scholarly lectures and coordinate research among 11 faculty members from fields such as economics, geography, politics, psychology and sociology.
The Times-Standard of Eureka reports that one professor is studying recent campaigns to legalize marijuana, while another is investigating the environmental effects of pot cultivation.
"If anyone is going to have a marijuana institute, it really should be Humboldt State," economist Erick Eschker, the institute's co-chair, told the newspaper. Eschker is studying the connection between marijuana production and employment in the county.
The institute is probably the first dedicated to examining marijuana through the lens of multiple disciplines, according to sociologist Josh Meisel, who is leading the enterprise with Eschker. Humboldt faculty started discussing the idea in 2010 when California was preparing to vote on a bitterly contested ballot proposition that would have treated marijuana like alcohol.
"With these public discussions, there were a lot more questions than there were answers," Meisel said, adding that he and other faculty became interested in applying academic rigor to the economic, health and legal issues raised in eventually unsuccessful campaign.
Now that voters in Colorado and Washington have done what California would not, passing marijuana legalization measures this month, the institute has even more reason to exist. Politics professor Jason Plume is giving a lecture on the marijuana reform movement on Tuesday night, one of seven public talks the institute plans to host this year.
They want to "bring academic rigor" to the economic, health and legal issues involved in marijuana legalization. Then they, and their students, will have to stay off the weed. Considering the location of Humboldt, I seriously doubt that will happen.
I thought for sure from the headline they were  talking about Weed College in Portland
I disagree that marijuana is not a threat. I have seen firsthand exciting, ambitious, talented young people turn into zombie like beings floating for years from one job to another or living off whom or whatever they can, driving stoned out of their mind and losing all ability to pursue their dreams while they see most of their cash go up in smoke and are constantly in search for another joint when they see their stash getting short.
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I have worked with stoners in extraordinarily dangerous jobs, where my life literally depended upon individuals...stoned and staying that way with each opportunity for a smoke break, and at times having to ask for a change of duty to keep myself safe. I think the whole push behind legalization will create another cash cow with greater pushes for more and more users who don't know the hidden dangers of its use until too late, especially now that youth will be seeing their parents indulge openly. It will be hard for employers to identify and enforce "sobriety" with semi functioning stoners as opposed to abusers of alcohol.
 @erudite And I have seen the last 3 presidents of the US as having smoked pot.  By your observations everyone who smokes pot becomes a loser, by my observations everyone becomes president.  I believe the real outcome is somewhere in between, and if I really wanted to know the effects of smoking pot I would look for unbiased research not anecdotal evidence which is the only thing our observations can provide. Â
@darren vandervort Â
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I expected my comment to be unpopular to some, but for those of us who lived in a blue haze during the drug culture days of the hippies and flower children, you will find many of us who lived through those days recognize the devastating effect acceptance of something so innocent as joints or bong hits can have, certainly not as evil as beer or wine, or for heavenâs sake "the hard stuff" such as vodka or whiskey! Humm?
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Most individuals I know who voted to legalize "pot", named so because that is exactly what happens to your habits with indulgent use, (thus the term going to pot) did so strictly on the basis of money. Too much spent on residential users, not enough spent on drug lords, and interested in seeing State financial revenue sorely needed being collected and redirected, especially since so many liberals kept spending money that put us decades in the hole financially.
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As for Presidents being dopers, I don't think so, but considering their performance, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
The feds have stifled unbiased research on marijuana for decades. It's about time.
 @James Gnau The "legalize" community has also opposed true research, since that could put the lie to claims about long term effects, addiction, medicinal properties, etc. They prefer the claims to be unscrutinized, like the claims for supplements and other "The FDA has not evaluated these claims" OTC "drugs".
 @ShallowEnder  @James Gnau I assume you have researched your claim about their research.  Please provide links so I can expand my research as well. Â
Ironically, the college has just ordered 10 more junk food vending machines.
@Dirtman I was wondering if there would be any munchie-related posts. Thanks for not disappointing, Dirtman : )
@theprodigal When I clicked on the article, there was an ad for a Zupan's Market rib roast. Sometimes the comments write themselves.