ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., Sept. 6, 2018 — St. Bonaventure University will host a film and panel discussion Tuesday exploring the topic of legalizing recreational marijuana in New York.
Co-sponsored by SBU’s College Democrats and the Citizens Action Network of Southwestern New York, the program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in the Dresser Auditorium of the Murphy Professional Building. It’s free and open to the public.
The program begins with the film “California High,” which explores the legalization of marijuana in California. Participating in the post-film panel discussion and Q&A will be:
• Kevin Watkins, M.D., Cattaraugus County’s public health director
• Vaijayantee Belle, M.D., an Olean neurologist who’s licensed to prescribe medical marijuana in New York
• Jene Gardner, director of treatment services at CAReS, the county’s Council on Addiction and Recovery Services Inc.
“This program is not designed to take sides on the issue of marijuana legalization, but rather to educate students and the general public about the pros and cons of a subject that is likely to come before the New York State Legislature next year,” said Dr. Chris Stanley, faculty adviser for the SBU College Democrats.
“The expert panel that we have assembled should help all of us to gain a better understanding of the potential costs and benefits of such a move by our elected representatives,” Stanley said.