FREE EVENTS PLANNED SEPT. 16-17 TO CELEBRATE CONSTITUTION DAY 2014 ON THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO CAMPUS
Legal and social impacts of state marijuana laws to be addressed by Colorado law professor Sam Kamin, Nevada Senator Tick Segerblom (D.-Nev.), retired California Superior Court Judge Peggy Hora and other prominent guests
Two days of free events are planned for Constitution Day 2014 on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, Sept. 16-17, addressing potential challenges presented when state marijuana laws conflict with the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause as the supreme law of the land. The keynote on Tuesday, Sept. 16 will feature University of Denver legal scholar Sam Kamin, J.D., Ph.D., who also writes the series “Altered State: Inside Colorado’s Marijuana Economy” for Slate Magazine. A discussion forum Wednesday, Sept. 17 will be moderated by the Honorable Chad Schmucker, president of the National Judicial College, and includes Nevada Senator Tick Segerblom (D.-Nev.), retired California Superior Court Judge Peggy Hora, California bank executive Joseph Roller, and University of Nevada, Reno faculty experts.
All events are free, interactive and open to the public:
Keynote: Addressing the Altered States: State Marijuana Laws and the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause with Colorado law professor, Sam Kamin
When: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6:30-9 p.m. (6:30 p.m.: Meet the Keynote; 7:30 p.m.: Keynote and Q&A)
Where: University of Nevada, Reno campus, Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center (MIKC), Rotunda and Wells Fargo Auditorium
FREE
Author Sam Kamin, J.D., Ph.D., law professor and director of the Constitutional Rights and Remedies Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, has emerged as an expert voice on the impacts of marijuana legalization. He sits on Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper’s newly formed Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force along with elected officials, stakeholders in the state’s medical marijuana industry and other experts. Kamin is the author of The Impact of the Decriminalization and Legalization of Marijuana. He also writes the series “Altered State: Inside Colorado’s Marijuana Economy” for Slate Magazine, about the challenges faced by the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana from seed to sale and chronicling the impact of the groundbreaking new law among lawmakers, businesses and citizens.
In his keynote address, Kamin will share his insights about the intersection of state and Constitutional law. The event will include a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by keynote and audience discussion from 7:30-9 p.m., moderated by Stephen Lafer, Ph.D., associate professor, UNR College of Education. Seating is first-come, first-served. Event parking in the Brian Whalen Parking Complex on N. Virginia St. is $3 from 5-7 p.m., and free after 7 p.m.
For more about Sam Kamin’s Slate series, visit www.slate.com and search Kamin Altered State. For Kamin’s faculty profile, visit the University of Denver, www.law.du.edu.
Public Reading of the Constitution
When: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-noon
Where: University of Nevada, Reno campus, on the steps outside of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center (MIKC)
FREE
Come one and all! Join fellow students, staff, faculty and community members in a rousing public reading of the Constitution on the steps of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center. Free Constitution booklets will be available as supplies last.
Discussion forum: Social impacts of new marijuana laws, moderated by the Honorable Chad Schmucker, president of the National Judicial College
When: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7:30-9 p.m.
Where: University of Nevada, Reno campus, Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center (MIKC), Wells Fargo Auditorium
FREE
Faculty and special guest panelists including Senator Tick Segerblom (D-Nev), retired California Superior Court Judge Peggy Hora, and California bank executive Joseph Roller, will bring their expertise to bear on the legal, social and societal issues that might or do arise from the conflict between the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution ~ as the supreme law of the land ~ and the decriminalization of marijuana laws in Nevada, California and other states. The audience will be encouraged to join in a Q&A with panel members after their discussion.
Discussion panel members include Colleen (Jo) Harvey, instructor, Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT), UNR; Peggy Hora, California Superior Court Judge (retired); Stephen Lafer, associate professor, College of Education, UNR; Joseph Roller, banking executive, California; panel moderator, Chad Schmucker, president, National Judicial College, former judge and court administrator; Katharine Schweitzer, assistant professor, Department of Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts, UNR; and Nevada Senator Tick Segerblom (D.-Nev.).
Constitution Day 2014 will be observed nationally on Wednesday, Sept. 17 to commemorate Sept. 17, 1787, when the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention held their final meeting, to sign the Constitution of the United States of America. A federal law directs public schools and universities to sponsor educational programs about the United States Constitution each year in honor of the signing.
The University of Nevada, Reno Constitution Day events are sponsored by the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Grant Sawyer Center for Justice Studies, National Judicial College, Reynolds School of Journalism, Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center, Extended Studies, Center for Student Cultural Diversity and the Intercultural Council.
For more information and a downloadable flier, visit www.unr.edu/constitutionday or call Extended Studies at (775) 784-4046.
SOURCE: UNR.
