AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: JULY 2017 37 You’re damn right I’m going to try it Retired officer with cancer says there’s no harm in giving effective medicine a shot T here are a lot of dyed in the wool drug warriors that, much like the leadership of the DEA, will never admit that marijuana is somehow less harmful than fentanyl, Oxycontin or PCP. Generallyspeakingthough those folks are not suffering from MS, glaucoma, certain types of cancer, PTSD, or any of the other diseases, disorders and illnesses that can be treated effectively with cannabis. Here’s the thing. During a police officer’s career, they’re really not at liberty to express their personal opinions about something like the drug war or medical marijuana for a variety of reasons. If you’re retired and suf- fering from throat cancer it’s a different story. “You’ve always been told, ‘It’s bad. It’s illegal. Bust ‘em,’” Kevin Hoffman told Arkansasmatters.com in a recent interview. “And I don’t believe that now.” In Arkansas, like in a ma- jority of states in the USA, estimates suggest as many 30,000 Arkansans were re- cently applying for medical marijuana identification cards. Hoffman, a former cop, was one of them. From his time at the Drew County Sheriff’s Department to the Jefferson County Jail, Hoff- man has seen more people locked up for cannabis than almost anything else. “That’s a problem,” he said. “Why marijuana is in the same class federally as narcotics, I don’t understand that.” Hoffman’s evolution on the issue has taken some time. It started with his throat cancer diagnosis. Then his 14-year-old daughter died of a heart at- tack because of the medicine she was taking. PTSD and depression set in shortly thereafter. “Afteryou’vebeenthrough that, you can see where I’m coming from,” he said. Like many, Hoffman has no interest in “getting high.” He just wants to get well and so far so good. “It’s gonna help,” he said. “I’ve tried it.” He’s suffered with insom- nia and bouts of explosive rage. His limited experience using marijuana to treat his symptoms has been positive, but again – limited. “I don’t do it now because I can’t get it legally,” he said. “And I’m not going to do something that’s illegal.” Coming face to face with death generally makes it easier to see what’s B.S. and what’s real. After his throat cancer diagnosis due to smoking cigarettes, Hoffman now says he would support the legalization of recreational marijuana and ban the use of tobacco. The only problem there would be switching out the old simple possession inmate population for a new one. But progress takes time. “I do not support a livable wage.” – Karen Handel, the Republican candidate for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District “GA has cops on food stamps – shameful! Sign the law enforcement pay raise petition.” – Dog The Bounty Hunter According to a recent ar- ticle from USA Today College, the Black Student Union at the University of Wisconsin- Superior recently honored the local police chief, Nicho- las Alexander, for his work and outreach efforts with black students. The kids wanted Chief Alexander to attend their graduation ceremony but he couldn’t make it that night due to scheduling conflict. So they held a separate ceremony for the chief where they presented Al- exander with a traditional African kente scarf. “This cultural symbol should be a reminder to you, and all who view it, that you have gained the utmost respect and honor of our Black Student Union members,” members of the BSU wrote to Chief Alexan- der in a letter of recognition. “Thank you for honoring us with your support over the years. We are grateful.” Chantele Nelson, vice president of the BSU, told USA TODAY College that she and her fellow students came to appreciate Alex- ander’s commitment after several high-profile confron- tations between black men and white police officers. The BSU held an event called “Police Interactions: It’s Time We Talked,” back in 2015 and that was the beginning of the relationship between the students and the police chief. Graduating members of the BSU receive kente cloths (a kind of traditional fabric from Ghana) when they graduate as a way to honor both achievement and heri- tage. Alexander was the first person from outside the BSU that University of Wis- consin-Superior has given a kente. “This partnership is not just something I’ve done alone, it’s not just me at the police department. There are many other police offi- cers, too,” Chief Alexander said. Respected chief gets rare honor from students