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UNM physics professor wins award, seeks to expand research opportunities for students

  Darcy Barron, an associate professor at the University of New Mexico with a Ph.D. in physics,  has research that’s taken her from the icy Midwest to the dry Atacama Desert of Chile, where she works with a team of collaborators twice a year to monitor the cosmic microwave background of the universe. Barron was recently awarded a Cottrell Scholar Award, which celebrates both her research and teaching achievements. The award, which maintains a three-tiered review process and a competitive 14 percent funding rate, will provide $100,000 over three years to support Barron’s research. 

Local artist imbues art with love and weed

  Cannabis has long inspired countless films, music, paintings and other forms of art that all center around an idea of cannabis culture, and Semaj Glover is one such artist inspired by cannabis. Glover not only features cannabis in her art but also attempts to remove the negative stigma around weed, encouraging a more positive attitude. Glover grew up in Oregon but moved to Albuquerque in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2021. While she was still an artist prior to the start of the pandemic, the free time afforded to her allowed her to sink deeper into her art than ever before. Semaj was raised in an environment of artists, something that has encouraged her to pursue art.

Comics April 4, 2022

Physical, mental benefits of cannabis amid stigmatized industry

  Despite a long list of positive effects, cannabis use still remains a taboo subject for some. While medical cannabis was legalized over a decade ago in New Mexico, recreational marijuana was only legalized last summer with retail sales having started on Friday, April 1. Jacob Vigil, associate professor in the University of New Mexico psychology department, and Sarah Stith, associate professor in economics, are married and have done both joint and separate research on cannabis specifically. Through this, they have found that it’s largely more beneficial than a lot of people think and believe it should be normalized in society.

UNM students vary in feelings on recreational weed

  Albuquerque has seen millions of dollars of profit made in the cannabis industry since recreational sales started on Friday, April 1 following the drug’s legalization last summer. This change has brought on a variety of reactions from University of New Mexico students, from indifference to opposition to support. Katy McCarter, a UNM student studying elementary education, said she doesn’t really mind the legalization because she personally doesn’t intake cannabis but that marijuana can be used to help others destress and unwind, which is especially important for students.  “A lot of people are stressed with school so, I mean, smoking here and there would probably chill you out a little (because) I know college can be stressful and just taking a hit would cool everything down,” McCarter said. 

Grass Roots Rx explores edible innovation

  Most are likely familiar with pot brownies, but what about pot oatmeal? Pot French toast? Desirey Vallejos, manager and master baker at Grass Roots Rx, is no stranger to the different forms edibles can come in. With the start of legal recreational cannabis sales in New Mexico on Friday, April 1, she offers new ways to ingest THC beyond the normal range of baked goods, both in what she sells at her shop and what individuals can make at home. Most medical patients are typically looking for something not only discreet and cost-effective but also fun, according to Vallejos, which she attempts to deliver.

Ask the Editors: Cannabis cinema

  As we remain in the weeds of a strenuous spring semester, we all may be searching for some ways to unwind and kick back. Given that this April brought with it the legalization of recreational cannabis sales in New Mexico and the 4/20 holiday, taking a load off and relaxing might become even easier. Here, three Daily Lobo editors have compiled their top picks for chill movies to watch when you’re looking for a way to just sit down and unwind. Joseph’s Pick: “The Endless Summer” (1966) directed by Bruce Brown

OPINION: Texas lags too far behind New Mexico in cannabis law

  It never fails to surprise me how much New Mexico and Texas, two states that share a border, differ in their views when it comes to marijuana. New Mexico made cannabis legal for recreational use as of June 29, and recreational sales began April 1. In contrast, cannabis is still illegal in Texas except for a small list of medical reasons and anything that doesn’t need to be smoked. I originally hail from ye olde Texas and moved here for university (go Lobos), where I witnessed a stark difference in the attitude toward cannabis. Cannabis is not something one just saw someone smoking on the street (although that’s still technically illegal in New Mexico). 

REVIEW: ‘Dazed and Confused’ sets high bar for ’90s flicks

  Whether you’re watching high or sober, Richard Linklater’s iconic 1993 movie “Dazed and Confused” hits all the right notes. This coming-of-age masterpiece features themes of rebellion and lasting friendship all overlaid with — you guessed it — some very potent marijuana imagery. Almost 30 years on, “Dazed and Confused” feels as fresh as ever with a killer soundtrack and marvelously endearing characters. While critically acclaimed, “Dazed and Confused” was a box office failure, earning $7.9 million worldwide, a number that’s barely above the film’s $6.9 million budget. However, it has gained and maintained a steady cult following, cementing it as quintessential viewing for anyone who has ever tried growing up. 

Many UNM students benefit from legalized cannabis usage

  Since cannabis was legalized recreationally last summer in New Mexico, University of New Mexico students have been able to legally partake in the drug, so long as they’re over 21. After recreational sales started on Friday, April 1, many students have said this chain of legalization will have many positive impacts on the local community and its members despite the misinformation that America’s war on drugs has produced. Cannabis can be used both medically and recreationally, according to graduate music student Sam Lutz, and the only drug he uses is cannabis. It helps him calm down, as it does for graduate music students Hunter Wheatcraft and Daniel Yim as well.

Cannabusiness unfolds in New Mexico

  Recreational cannabis storefronts opened on Friday, April 1, a year after the legislation was passed in the roundhouse in Santa Fe during the special session to legalize recreational cannabis. The bill allows anyone 21 and over in the state to purchase 2 oz (about 57 grams) of cannabis flower, 16 grams of extract and 800 mg of edibles at one time.  Many of the dispensaries in the state that are now able to start recreational sales were strictly medical prior to the new legislation and had to acquire a new license in the past year. 

The politics, impacts of legalized recreational cannabis and sales

  New Mexico is one of the most recent states to legalize cannabis recreationally, jumping on the bandwagon as the 17th state to legalize out of 18 so far. This recent move stems from decades-old political movements and increased acceptance of the drug on a local and national level. “I think over time, the science has evolved in a way and our attitudes have evolved in a way that (has) created political openings for legalizing marijuana at the state level … Legalization of marijuana has become a fairly popular thing,” said Timothy Krebs, University of New Mexico professor and department chair of political science.

Local cannabis growers are the ‘Carver B’s knees

  Carver Family Farm was the first micro producer of cannabis to gain their growing license. Now, it’s full steam ahead for business partners Andrew Brown, Erika Hartwick Brown and Mathew Muñoz as the April 1 start date for recreational cannabis sales has begun, and they open up their odorless storefront. Passionate about providing clean, organic cannabis, they settled on no-till organic growing as the best option for them in their own personal medical growth, according to Hartwick Brown. All of their product is currently grown in-house through the no-till organic method, including their flagship “Carver” strain, which Hartwick Brown said helps her personally with her migraines.

REVIEW: ‘Moon Knight’ premiere eclipsed by MCU staleness

  This review contains spoilers for episode 1 of “Moon Knight” and the “Moon Knight” comic books Since the show’s announcement in 2019 and following confirmation of Oscar Isaac’s casting in May 2021, anticipation for the Disney+ series “Moon Knight” has been steadily building for quite some time now. Personally, Moon Knight is my favorite comic book character and Isaac’s casting as well as the addition of Ethan Hawke as the villain sounded like a dream come true. After watching the premiere, though, I’m not sure that dream turned into reality.  The series premiere introduced us to Isaac’s Steven Grant, a museum gift shop working,  friendless loner who longs to be anywhere other than where he is. 

Family of community member killed by APD continues fight for justice

  Two years after the death of Valente Acosta-Bustillos, family members and community activists gathered together for a press conference on the morning of Wednesday, March 30 as well as a vigil later in the day to continue to call for the reopening of the investigation into Acosta-Bustillos’ death at the hands of two Albuquerque Police Department officers. Officers Joseph Bush and Edgar Sandoval were called for a wellness check on March 30, 2020 when Sandoval shot and killed Acosta-Bustillos in his own home following the discovery that Acosta-Bustillos had an outstanding warrant. 

Comics March 28, 2022

UNM student talks spring fashion

  University of New Mexico student Emma Harrison has always been interested in clothes and has taken her passion for fashion to the next level since beginning college, using her freedom as a means for increased creative expression. Harrison is currently studying design and technology for performance with a concentration in costuming and she shared the top five ways to jump into spring fashion with the Daily Lobo. Creativity Harrison is sad to see layers go with the colder weather leaving but finds that spring can create  opportunities for more creative piece play because of the adaptability of lighter garments. She’s excited to see how people experiment this season.

UNM student takes on American Ninja Warrior challenge

  University of New Mexico student Cassie Dierks will be competing for the third time through the American Ninja Warrior challenge course. Dierks previously competed in 2020 on season 12 and in 2021 on season 13. The course features intricate obstacles, including the infamous warp wall, which contestants must make their way through in an attempt to be first through the first of four courses to win the cash grand prize. In both of her past runs, Dierks has wiped out on the second obstacles, called “Lunatic Ledges” and “Overpass.” Going into her third competition, she has adopted a specific training policy to prevent repeating the same mistakes. 

REVIEW: Pixar's 'Turning Red' is a colorful exploration of family dynamics

  While I was thrilled that Pixar finally returned to making movies with more than one word in the title, I didn’t have much hope for “Turning Red” originally. After all, it’s hard to compete with the classics of the aughts. Despite this, I realized that the film actually leans into the viewer’s nostalgia to soothe the older viewer and draw them into the plot. I immediately enjoyed the setting, color scheme and animation of the movie. The protagonist, spunky Chinese Canadian Mei Lee, isn’t that awkward blend of hyperrealistic and cartoonish character design seen in films like “Encanto” and “Frozen.” 

LETTER: UNM admin needs to meet UA-UNM’s push for livable wages

  I am very pleased that the New Mexico State Legislature, in response to advocacy from the American Federation of Teachers of New Mexico, decided to include higher education employees in their mandated 3% pay raise and subsequent 4% raise for April and July, respectively. However, I am increasingly concerned that UNM’s administration is unwilling to meet in negotiations with our faculty union, United Academics of UNM (UA-UNM), to reach an agreement on the distribution of these funds to faculty, unless the negotiation sessions are closed to faculty observation, which violates our UA-UNM core values of transparency and inclusion. What are they afraid of, the light of day?