SUNY Plattsburgh’s independent student newspaper since 1997
FRIDAY, SEPT. 17, 2021
VOLUME 105 - ISSUE 1
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OLGA MUKA/Cardinal Points After marijuana was legalized in New York for individuals over the age of 21, students on campus wondered if anything changed regarding the school’s policies.
Marijuana remains illegal for Platts student use BY ALEKSANDRA SIVOROVA Staff Writer
With the signing of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), or Cannabis Law, March 31, New York became the 15th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana by adults. Now that in the eyes of the state, the status of weed is similar to that of alcohol, is there more opportunity for leisure for the adult students of SUNY Plattsburgh? The simple answer is no. According to Mason Barber, Community Advocate in Whiteface Hall, students of the legal
drinking age are allowed to have and use alcohol in their rooms, but not cannabis. Even in the amount stipulated by law, even by students aged 21 and over. Larry Allen, director of Student Conduct, said the school has not yet received updated legal guidance regarding marijuana on campus because the law is so recent. The only change made to the Student Conduct Manual since the previous year was the addition of the word “cannabis” to refer to marijuana. Allen shared that the institution must abide by both state and federal law “and sometimes one law
trumps the other.” Additionally, as part of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) Amendments of 1989, the use of marijuana would not be permitted on any university campus. SUNY Plattsburgh cannot allow the use of marijuana on campus until it’s legalized on a federal level, despite New York State law allowing it. Alternatively, the school may choose to disallow cannabis use on campus, even if it becomes federally legal. “The campus can always go above and beyond the law; we can be more re-
strictive,” Allen said. Investigator Seth Silver of University Police said the recreational use of marijuana would be treated as a violation of the code of conduct, not the law. This means that if a student is caught smoking weed on campus, they would be in trouble with the institution, but not the law, assuming they are 21 or older. Even knowingly being in the presence of cannabis or paraphernalia would be considered a violation, as well, regardless of age. Marijuana l A5
Women march over Texas laws BY MIA MORGILLO Associate News Editor
On Sept. 21, 666 laws were passed in Texas. One of these prohibits physicians from providing abortions if they detect a fetal heartbeat, which will include embryonic cardiac activity, something that can occur as early as six weeks of pregnancy. Not only that, but the law permits citizens to create civil suits and sue anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion. This can occur from Texas resident to Texas resident, or even across state borders. Out of state residents can sue a Texan who aids someone in getting an abortion, and could also be sued for helping a Texan get an abortion. This is the Heartbeat Act. Journalism major Katie Kallamni was sad when she first heard the law passed. “We’re not going in the right direction. I’m prochoice, and this takes away people’s choice,” Kallamni said. On Saturday, Oct. 2, all
people are being called on to the National Women’s March in lieu of these new laws. The march will be held in at least every capitol for each state, and in many other locations throughout most states. For New York, there are currently 15 locations for the march, including Albany, with the closest being in Glens Falls. The marches will take place at 2 p.m., and addresses can be found on the Women’s March website. “I personally don’t support abortions, but I also think it’s a personal choice,” junior Kaeli Brack said. In 1973, Roe v. Wade ruled that the point after which a state is able to regulate abortion is “at approximately the end of the first trimester.” In 1992, Planned Parenthood v. Casey reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, declaring that the standard for abortion acess is at fetal viabiliability, when the fetus has the ability to survive outside the womb. Viability is usu-
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ally around 28 weeks, but can be as early as 24 weeks. Previous to this new Texas law, while many states had attempted, nowhere in the United States banned abortions earlier than 20 weeks of pregnancy. Emma Corbett, director of communications for Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, spoke about the new laws as well as Planned Parent-
hood’s response. “Our colleagues in Colorado and New Mexico are already seeing people who have the means to cross state lines to get care,” she said. “There is going to be a real outsized impact on people in poverty, those who can’t afford to travel, communities of color, LGBTQ people. Let’s not forget that trans people can be pregnant, non-bianary people
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can be pregnant, so it’s really important for people in the media to use inclusive language when we are talking about people who can experience pregnancy.” While those seeking abortions in Texas may feel trapped, “Here in New York, a patient from Texas or any other state that need to seek care is going to get the care that they need,” Corbett said.
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“It’s always good to raise awareness,” said Kallamni when asked about the importance of the Women’s march in states other than Texas. Similarly, Corbett said, “We know for a fact that other states are looking at this law as a blueprint.”
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