Speaker to Examine Medical Marijuana Use

Feb 17, 2020

Cal U will host a discussion about medical marijuana at 11 a.m. March 3 in Duda Hall, Room 103.

grad speaker

Matt Reid, a Ph.D. candidate at Western Michigan University and a visiting professor at Grand Valley State University, will discuss “Medical Marijuana in a Post-Prohibition State.”  Admission is free, and the public is welcome.

His doctoral research focuses on the perceptions of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana in states where both are legal. He is the media editor for the Midwest Sociological Society and blogs at popularsociology.net

Cal U sociology professors Emily Sweitzer and Codie Stone are coordinating the event. 

“This discussion of medical marijuana is very relevant to today’s society as we explore various means for non-invasive treatments for many conditions,” said Sweitzer, who teaches courses in social deviance. 

“But it is also particularly relevant for social deviance majors as they examine the ever-changing social and cultural perspectives and norms that guide society and impact acceptance and tolerance.” 

Currently, 33 states have laws that allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes; 11 states allow recreational marijuana use. 

On March 2, Reid will visit Stone’s classes at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon in Duda Hall. The public may attend by emailing stone@calu.edu.

Reid and Stone met in graduate school and worked together as college instructors. 

“Matt is an innovative educator who builds rapport with his students by engaging them through his authentic passion for the discipline of sociology, and showing through real-world examples how sociology impacts individuals' lives,” Stone said. 

Reid’s talk is sponsored by the Graduate School Speaker Series; the legal studies and social deviance programs; and the History, Politics, Society and Law Department.