DAILY LOBO new mexico
The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
Alleged hazing cancels opener
WEDNESDAY August 20, 2014 | Volume 119 | Issue 4
GETTING A HEAD START
By Thomas Romero-Salas The New Mexico women’s soccer season opener has been cancelled due to an ongoing investigation into an alleged hazing incident, athletic director Paul Krebs announced Tuesday. On Monday, the UNM Athletics Department announced it was using an outside investigator to determine the details of the incident and interview team members. The game, originally scheduled for Friday at Texas Tech, would have been the season opener for both teams. UNM will now begin its season on Sept. 5 against Marquette in the Colorado College Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colorado. UNM also cancelled the team’s Tuesday practice. “We are continuing to interview student-athletes and investigate what happened on Sunday night,” Krebs said in a statement. “I’ve consulted with Texas Tech, and in light of our continuing investigation,
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William Aranda / Daily Lobo / @_WilliamAranda
UNM redshirt junior midfielder Josh Dye makes a play on the ball during the men’s soccer exhibition game against Fort Lewis on Monday evening. The Lobos defeated Fort Lewis 3-0.
See page 10 for a complete recap from Monday’s exhibition. For a profile on Mathew Gibbons see page 12.
Hazing page 2
Council votes in favor of adding pot penalties to ballot By Tomas Lujan
Albuquerque voters might have the chance to vote on whether or not marijuana penalties should be lessened. Late Monday evening The Albuquerque City Council voted 5-4 in favor of allowing a measure that will reduce marijuana penalties to be put on the ballot in November. This initiative seeks to reduce those penalties in the Albuquerque area to a civic penalty of $25 for anyone found in possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, regardless of prior transgressions for the same offense. According to current statutes, penalties for a first offense include a fine between $50 and $100, up to 15 days in jail, or both. A second or subsequent offense carries a fine of between $100 and $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both and any amount up to one ounce. Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry now has 10 days to sign the resolution, take no action, or veto it. The matter went before the council following a failed petition initiated by Progress Now NM, a group working closely with the Drug Policy Alliance. Councilman Rey Garduño introduced the resolution, which was based on the petition. Garduño said the ballot
initiative is a significant step in reanalyzing current drug policy to develop more socially responsible laws when it comes to marijuana. He and his team are currently asking for signatures in support of his new resolution. “I think it’s a very important time in the discussion of marijuana,” Garduño said. “My resolution is really asking the council to put it on the ballot so that there is a popular initiative and folks can vote on it.” Marsha Garcia, communications director at Progress Now NM, said its goal with the original petition was solely to reduce the penalties for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana for personal use in Albuquerque. However, she said they hope this measure will serve as the first step towards statewide decriminalization in the future. “We don’t think an adult with a small amount of marijuana for personal use should be considered a criminal,” Garcia said. “Reforms are being done statewide and at the municipal level across the country, and we think Albuquerque should start taking steps towards this future.” The 60-day campaign to collect the signatures was met with widespread support — gathering over 16,000 signatures — from Albuquerque citizens who would like to see the
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Marijuana page 6
Diana Cervantes / Daily Lobo
Councilors Klarissa J. Peña and Rey Garduño discuss the agenda during the Albuquerque City Council meeting on Monday. Garduño’s resolution to pass a motion to have lower marijuana penalties put on the ballot for the next elections passed by a 5-4 vote.
Timeline of Albuquerque Pot Protesting May 27 - Progress Now NM, working closely with the Drug Policy Alliance, charters a petition to reduce marijuana penalties in the Albuquerque area. July 28 - Following a 60-day period, Progress Now NM submits more than 16,000 signatures in support of the ballot initiative. July 30 - Councilman Don Harris discovers a mistake in the original number, questions the validity of the petition. Petition supporters oppose his move. Aug. 4 - Councilman Rey Garduño joins initiative in response to opposition - announces resolution to see marijuana question on ballot in November elections. Aug. 19 - City Council votes 5-4 in favor of Garduño’s resolution, sent to mayor for further action.