“Study drug’’ is a colloquial umbrella term for a range of central nervous system stimulants, including methylphenidates like Ritalin and amphetamines like Adderall, Vyvanse and Dexedrine. As prescription stimulants, the drugs help treat individuals diagnosed with conditions including narcolepsy, binge eating disorder and, primarily, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, unprescribed individuals, particularly college students, may use drugs like Adderall to enhance their ability to complete schoolwork. The stimulants are also used for athletic performance as well as recreationally for their euphoric properties.

A fall 2021 SUNY and New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports survey found 2.2 percent of BU undergraduate students surveyed used nonmedical amphetamines in the last 30 days. The drugs are most commonly used by college-aged students, with a pre-COVID-19 Johns Hopkins University study finding that 60 percent of unprescribed Adderall users are within the 18 to 25 age range.

After over a year of virtual instruction at BU, some believe that cognitive-enhancing drug usage might rise, with some faculty witnessing a decline in student performance as in-person instruction returned. One such person is Lina Begdache, an assistant professor of health and wellness studies and mentor of the Binghamton Student Managed Adderall Research Team (B-SMART), a group that researches Adderall use on college campuses.

“That is the concern, faculty are seeing a decline in students’ performance and quality of work,” Begdache wrote in an email. “We are also seeing changes in students’ behaviors and attitudes. This can translate into students feeling the challenges of in-person education, which may prompt more people to resort to easy fixes.”

While the stimulants can increase alertness and cognitive function, they also contain many side effects, including paranoia and anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, irregular heartbeat and if overdosed, heart attack or death. The stimulants also reduce the sedating effects of alcohol when mixed with alcoholic beverages, leading to an increased risk of alcohol poisoning. Many of these drugs are classified as Schedule 2 drugs by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with a high risk of leading to a substance use disorder.

Despite known side effects, some students are resistant to quitting. One anonymous student said they use unprescribed Adderall to study and had also used the drug once at a party. The student said they understood the risks but believed the drug helps them be more productive and happy.

“I do not take them regularly because I understand the risk of abusing it easily and keeps my tolerance low,” the student said. “But it is super convenient, since I just retain more information for my test and feel more efficient with my time.”

Begdache warned students that these “easy fixes” have been linked to poor dieting, reduced development of the brain’s prefrontal cortex and worse grades, according to results from B-SMART and other researchers.

“It is hard sometimes to believe it as the short-term reward may be a higher grade on a test, but these drugs only promote information retention in the short-term memory; therefore, they do not promote learning,” Begdache wrote. “This is an issue as students start taking upper-level classes that are based on previously learned information. These students start struggling, which prompts them to rely further on these medications to improve their grades. We found a close relationship between taking non-medicinal Adderall and low GPA and low GPA and Adderall abuse. It becomes a cyclic phenomenon.”

One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said they have taken both unprescribed Adderall and Vyvanse solely for academic purposes. The student said their grades and mood improve while using the stimulants, if they remain focused on schoolwork.

“When I take it I feel all my senses are enhanced and all my thoughts are organized,” the student said. “I feel so focused and it does improve my study habits and actually correlates with better grades and Adderall. It also makes me reach a state of happiness for a little while which I feel and am nicer.”

Another student, who also wished to remain anonymous, said they take Adderall, Vyvanse and Dexedrine to study when faced with multiple exams on the same day or during finals. While the student has been diagnosed with ADHD, they said they do not have a prescription and use the drug to help deal with symptoms.

“I feel like I can study for way longer when I take it,” the student said. “Essentially, it eliminates brain fog and procrastination. However, if I don’t also take it before the test I find that I don’t perform as well as when I was studying off of it.”

Linda Reynolds, the college prevention coordinator of BU’s Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs program, told students who are struggling with stimulant misuse to contact her or Angelica Dellapenna, a senior counselor at the University Counseling Center who specializes in substance misuse.

Like Begdache, Reynolds wrote that unprescribed Adderall usage does not improve ability to learn or understand material and is more likely to promote negative side effects. Instead, Reynolds provided healthy alternatives.

“If students truly want to improve their concentration and relieve stress, they should go back to the basics: get sufficient and consistent sleep, engage in some type of physical activity and eat a well-rounded diet,” Reynolds wrote in an email.

It’s just a little orange bottle. OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin. Yet, these drugs can control the fates of athletes everywhere.

Athletes are frequently prescribed opioid pain medications following serious sports injuries — a common threat to an athlete’s ability to play and, at times, a threat to their entire career. While these drugs aid in the reduction of serious pain, it’s difficult for many athletes to foresee themselves becoming the cautionary tale of someone who lost it all to drugs and addiction. After all, why would it happen to them? “I won’t end up like that kid,” they say. “I’ll be fine.” Until they’re not.

So, what makes that little orange bottle so dangerous? It’s due to the specific class of drugs that opioids classify as. Opioids are substances that affect brain activity by altering one’s perception of pain. They activate the brain’s reward centers by releasing endorphins, making one feel better physically and mentally. It is one’s attachment to this feeling that makes opioids so addictive.

OxyContin, Percocet, codeine, Vicodin and fentanyl are some of the most common prescription opioids offered to athletes. Sports like football are a perfect example of how normal their prescription and misuse are for athletes. For reference, research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, an international journal, showed that of 644 retired NFL football players, “over half (52 percent) used opioids during their NFL career with 71 percent reporting misuse.” The study also found that some retired players still used opioids long after their professional careers have ended.

Opiate use is often an athlete’s way of coping with internal pressures, such as an unyielding fear of letting a team down or losing one’s position on the team in the midst of injury. Additionally, external pressures like parental intervention or coaching expectations often encourage misuse and shortsighted thinking, which is why education regarding the dangers of opioids is critical for these competitors. Athletes like to feel invincible, and these drugs prey on that desire. Athletes may use opioids in lieu of proper medical attention, whether due to a lack of medical insurance or accessibility, or with the explicit intent of willing their injuries out of their lives despite the medical advice they may have received. However, this approach usually bears the opposite result, prolonging and even worsening the condition of the injury in the long run. These drugs could provide temporary relief that athletes confuse with healing when, in reality, the continued physical stress on the affected area only hinders its recovery.

Athletes are especially susceptible to opioid addiction because of the lifestyle that comes with being an athlete. The standard of perfection that is set for an athlete is unrealistic, and the expectation to live up to this standard creates a culture of overachievement in which athletes are desperate to excel. And this desperation — one that is specific to athletic competitors — is what drives them to use opioids.

Pain is a terrible aspect of the human experience. One that is inescapable in nature, but by no means will it ever be worth the cost of a human life. It is for this reason that athletes should only be prescribed non-opioid pain medication.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, misuse occurs with about 21 to 29 percent of patients taking prescription opioids for chronic pain, and 8 to 12 percent of those people develop an opioid use disorder. This statistic is one that we should be combating, not increasing. One way of contributing to safer medical treatment is by prescribing non-opioid pain medications. Not only can non-opioid medications wean one off of opioids, but they, too, contribute to valued pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen are examples of painkillers that serve the same function as opioids. American Addiction Centers points out that while these non-opioid medications vary in their levels of pain relief, they have been proven to be effective in managing chronic pain syndromes. They also highlight other alternative methods of pain management for athletes, such as acupuncture, massages, chiropractors, yoga and various kinds of counseling that can also relieve pain. Some of the therapies they mention, like cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction, offer safer ways of coping by improving psychological responses to pain.

Through social media campaigns and the implementation of an opioid-awareness-centered curriculum within schools, we can inform today’s youth of the dangers of opioids and offer other solutions that they may not have been exposed to previously. By doing so, we can discourage athletes from seeking out opioid medication, regardless of prescription. We can encourage health care providers to prescribe these non-opioid options by partnering with or sponsoring professional athletes and sports teams who are in support of the cause, especially those who have members that personally endure the struggle of addiction or are in recovery themselves.

There is no easy, quick fix for easing the pain of athletes, but there is only one answer to whether or not they should risk their lives looking for it. That answer is no. Even if alternative methods are not as effective, or even if the pain seems unbearable, there is always another option. One cannot relieve the pain of a human life that was lost to the disease of addiction. The moment that doctors and pharmaceutical companies choose to prescribe opioids is the day that they prioritize the athlete over the human being — it’s the day they decide that long, healthy lives don’t matter as much as the temporary pain relief that comes from the little orange bottle.

Julia O’Reilly is a freshman majoring in biology.

According to the 2021 Annual Security and Fire Report, drug arrests and drug conduct referrals at BU have been on a steady decline since 2018. During the 2019 calendar year, there were 53 drug arrests and 160 referrals made on and around University properties, compared to the 116 drug arrests and 345 referrals made in 2018. In 2020, with students being sent home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers decreased further with 34 drug arrests and 102 referrals.

The decline in these numbers followed a significant increase in both drug referrals and arrests between 2016 and 2018. In 2017, 197 drug conduct referrals were made, which would increase to 345 total referrals in 2018. In 2016, 56 drug arrests were reported, which had increased to 116 by 2018. Although drug arrests and referrals began to show a steady decrease beginning in 2019, alcohol conduct referrals did not show a decrease until the 2020 calendar year, when the number went down to 224 referrals. This was a decrease from the 379 alcohol conduct referrals in 2019, which was more than double the 164 reported in 2017.

The Annual Security and Fire report is a result of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, passed in 1990. The act requires most public and private United States’ colleges to submit an annual report including crime statistics from university-owned properties, according to the BU website. Andrew Baker, the Title IX coordinator and Clery Act coordinator, said that although there are no hard metrics, the most recent drop in these statistics can at least partly be attributed to the changes that occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When [BU] went remote in March of 2020 and sent nearly all students and employees home, Clery [Act] statistics would almost have to drop because Clery [Act] only counts things that happen on University properties,” Baker wrote in email. “So, with many fewer people on the campus, a drop would be expected.”

Baker said future reports may be influenced by a variety of factors.

“The future of drug-related offenses is difficult to predict,” Baker wrote. “It is possible that a decrease will occur based on evolving New York state law or it is possible numbers will assume a more normal, pre-pandemic level.”

Jason Oppong, a resident assistant (RA) and a junior majoring in biology, said the decrease in arrests and referrals in 2020 were likely in large part due to the pandemic, but suggested efforts should be made to prevent another rise.

“To me it seems like after we surpass COVID-19, in the coming years there will be an increase in drug arrests and referrals based on past data,” Oppong wrote. “I think there should be education reform implemented to try and stop that.”

The decline in arrests and referrals had began in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Katie O’Keeffe, an RA and a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, said the decline may have been the result of University initiatives.

“I think that [BU] is trying to implement more harm reduction strategies in trainings and via the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Office,” O’Keeffe wrote. “This could definitely contribute to less arrests and conduct issues and more trying to help reduce the overall harm for the individual, while also encouraging them to seek help or at least limit their drug use. I do still think that [BU] can continue to better itself particularly in regard to counseling and diversity bias.”

O’Keeffe also said that many still often stigmatize drug usage, to a point in which those experimenting with drugs are viewed as “addicts.” O’Keeffe expressed hope that the way these referrals are handled will lean toward students’ best interests in the future.

“I do think that society as a whole is starting to change its view on what ‘addicts’ are and starting to encourage more harm reduction strategies,” O’Keeffe wrote. “In my opinion, harm reduction strategies are much better than arresting everyone with drug-related incidents because it meets the person at their level and does not imply any negative connotation that arresting a person would imply.”

If policymakers need any more incentive to change how governments respond to drug addiction, they need only examine how current attempts at drug rehabilitation in the criminal justice system are faring. Columbia University research claims that 65 percent of incarcerated people suffer from drug addiction, which totals to about 1.5 million people. However, only 11 percent of those who suffer from drug addiction receive any kind of treatment for their respective addictions during their time in prison, meaning most will remain addicted after their release. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation worse. In 2020, deaths from drug overdoses in the United States rose to over 93,000 — an increase of over 30 percent from 2019. The nature of the pandemic meant that treatment and outreach facilities, which are vital resources for drug users, could not offer the same level of service as before. One harm reduction facility in North Carolina had to close for over a year due to the pandemic, and while a massive influx of new visitors expressed their gratitude for the facility’s reopening in June 2021, the center is struggling to keep up with supplies. Clearly, state and local governments are not currently equipped with the resources or the desire necessary to change the system of drug addiction in the United States. Despite this, solutions are readily available.

Harm reduction efforts have been shown to do what their name suggests — reduce harm. These efforts can include safe consumption facilities, naloxone distribution and clean needle exchanges. San Francisco’s harm reduction program distributed at least 50,000 doses of naloxone in 2020, which helped save 4,300 people from drug overdoses. Their safe injection clinic also reduced injection-related surgery admissions by 47 percent, saving over $8 million in hospital costs, according to The Hill. Clean needle exchanges have also shown promising results in terms of disease reduction. HIV outbreaks among drug users have been curbed by the programs that allow for access to clean syringes in numerous counties in rural America. However, harm reduction must go beyond merely ensuring that people are using drugs safely. In San Antonio, a center called Haven for Hope aims to break the cycle of homelessness, a problem affecting many recovering addicts and low-income individuals, by providing short-term shelter and offering a wide range of services ranging from substance abuse and mental health treatment to education services, life-skills training and child care. In tandem with harm reduction efforts like naloxone distribution and needle exchanges, programs like Haven for Hope can provide a realistic route for former drug users to stay clean and truly become rehabilitated.

Another potential benefit of drug policy based on harm reduction is the reduction of systemic inequalities in drug enforcement. Although rates can vary somewhat for different drugs, there are similar rates of drug use among Black and white Americans. However, the legal consequences for drug use vary wildly by race. In a 2013 report by The Sentencing Project, it was found that “of the 277,000 people imprisoned nationwide for a drug offense, over half (56 percent) are African American or Latino” despite the fact that the two groups only comprise about 29 percent of the American population. During the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, surveys from the National Institute on Drug Abuse found higher rates of crack cocaine use among white Americans, but the vast majority of arrests for possession or dealing the drug were comprised of Black communities. Known as the infamous 100-to-1 ratio, Congress passed a law in 1986 which mandated the same prison sentence for possessing five grams of crack cocaine as 500 grams of powdered cocaine, which is now recognized as a highly discriminatory statute. Cutting down on drug arrests and shifting to harm prevention would begin progress toward remedying the systemic inequality present in drug law enforcement. It is important that harm reduction programs are aware of these systemic inequalities and conduct themselves accordingly. Harm prevention centers must ensure that anyone, regardless of their station in society, has access to potentially life-saving services.

In the final scene of the third season of “The Wire,” an unknowing recovering drug addict approaches Colvin as he surveys a former safe zone in West Baltimore and tells him that it was the only place he had felt safe to use drugs without being harassed by law enforcement or drug dealers. If properly implemented, harm reduction programs could have the same positive impact. It is time to listen to science that has unequivocally declared that addiction is a medical condition — one that is treatable through specific and reasonable steps. Former addicts can be reintegrated into society and move past their addiction. American governments at local, state and federal levels should apply this scientifically-backed thinking to their methods of drug enforcement.

Theodore Brita is a sophomore majoring in political science.

New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the Office of Cannabis Management’s (OCM) Seeding Opportunity Initiative on March 10. Through the initiative, “equity-entrepreneur” applicants with previous cannabis-related offenses and experience owning and operating a qualifying business will be eligible to receive conditional adult-use retail dispensary licenses. Qualifying applicants must have a cannabis-related offense from before the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), or have relatives or dependents with a pre-MRTA cannabis offense in New York state.

The intent of the Seeding Opportunity Initiative is to put these applicants at the “front-end of the adult-use market,” according to Hochul’s announcement. One hundred or more of the first marijuana retail licenses will be granted to those with marijuana convictions, or those with family members who have marijuana convictions.

“New York state is making history, launching a first-of-its-kind approach to the cannabis industry that takes a major step forward in righting the wrongs of the past,” Hochul said in the announcement. “The regulations advanced by the Cannabis Control Board today will prioritize local farmers and entrepreneurs, creating jobs and opportunity for communities that have been left out and left behind.”

Less than a month prior, Hochul had also signed the Conditional Cannabis Cultivation Bill, a related piece of legislation which provided opportunities for hemp farmers to grow cannabis starting in spring 2022, according to Hochul’s announcement. On Thursday, 52 of the new Adult-use Cannabis Conditional Cultivator Licenses were granted, as part of the attempt to provide current hemp farmers with a head start on marijuana farming to meet the new industry’s demand.

Damien Cornwell, owner of Just Breathe., a local cannabis shop in Binghamton, and director of operations for the Broome County Urban League — a nonprofit that assists disadvantaged people in achieving economic self-reliance — along with his fiance, Sarah Hogan, the scheduling and store manager at Just Breathe., said they supported both initiatives.

“I don’t know what Gov. Hochul’s overall intent is, but look, it’s a start,” Hogan said. “It’s a start that’s allowing us to bridge gaps and so we support it.”

Cornwell and Hogan said dispensaries can contribute to their communities in numerous ways, such as through a roundtable they had hosted at Just Breathe. The event had included government and community “movers and shakers” like local business owners and residents, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, Jennifer Lesko, the CEO of the Broome County Urban League and Carly Norton, Hochul’s Southern Tier regional representative.

Cornwell said he had provided support to initiatives similar to Hochul’s in the past.

“I also do a lot of work with the [Broome County] Urban League and I helped write one of the workforce development grants that, in part, dealt with expungement services and helping people get their records concealed that had been formerly incarcerated due to a nonviolent drug charge,” Cornwell said. “And the reason why it tied into the workforce was because we had a hard time getting employment a lot of times for people whose records weren’t concealed.”

The workforce development grant had helped around 23 people get their records concealed and 60 people find jobs, according to Cornwell.

Hogan said that while the Seeding Opportunity Initiative is a start, there is still more to be done.

“If someone from the top who has the power to make this decision can, they should say, ‘Alright, let’s try to level the playing field a little bit,’” Hogan said. “Does it completely level the playing field? No, there’s a million things that we could do to level the playing field, but that’s going to take a lot of time. But with regard to this specific bill, that initiative, I believe it absolutely needs to be there. It aligns with what our vision is.”

A poll conducted in late March by Siena College, however, indicated that the majority of New York state voters, or 54 percent, opposed the initiative, with 33 percent of voters in support. Support for the initiative was largely divided across certain demographic boundaries, with voters who are white, Republican, independent and not from New York City more likely to oppose the initiative, and voters who are Black and Latino strongly in support.

One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said they have sold marijuana before and that it was important to reimburse those with convictions for selling marijuana.

“They did run a business, it was just a personal one without all the official stuff,” the student said. “And I think offering it to them first is a good idea because when you’re convicted of things, it is so hard to find employment. So giving them the power back for something they were convicted of that’s now legal feels obvious. It’s reparations for taking away from their livelihood in the first place, for however long they spent in prison, for something that’s now legal.”

Today, the brain disease model of addiction, which treats addiction as a disease categorized by neurobiological changes rather than a condition of moral failure, predominates. There are 10 classes of substance use disorders, and there are standardized treatment methods which include counseling and medication as well as treatment of underlying mental health conditions. Make no mistake — this is what progress looks like, but some, myself included, find flaws in the current model. I believe that our conventional disease model of addiction, though far preferable to earlier conceptions, is flawed because it disempowers those with addiction while only weakly destigmatizing their condition. We need a more flexible model of addiction.

Allow me to first elaborate on that latter point. The process by which conditions previously thought to be normal human conditions become classified as treatable diseases is known as medicalization. By renaming addictions to substance use disorders, we aim to destigmatize them, but does this even work? One study finds that while subjects are less likely to attribute blame to someone whose condition is labeled a “brain disease,” they are also less optimistic that the person will be able to recover as opposed to someone with merely a drug “problem.” Medicalization of addiction has attached a severity to the condition that is somewhat of a double-edged sword. The prognostic optimism of a different model could help those in recovery see their condition as something surmountable and impermanent, driving them to form healthier habits and overcome setbacks such as relapse.

Many scientists also believe that a flexible model of addiction is simply better aligned with reality. Former Harvard University psychiatry professor Lance Dodes believes that the disease model of addiction fails to give people with addiction “an understanding that is useful for treating the problem.” He believes that addiction is a symptom rather than a disease, and one which is fairly common and natural. I believe that a model such as the one that Dodes proposes offers hope to many. We should recognize addiction not as a disease, but as a symptom of something psychologically significant or damaging in one’s past. Through this lens, we refuse to alienate people with addiction, we recognize our own susceptibility and we highlight the individual or systemic factors which contribute to addiction. Ultimately, we forge a stronger and more productive understanding of addiction.

To destigmatize addiction, we should see the brain disease model as a temporary solution. Blame attribution is only one aspect of stigma, and compassion toward people with addiction should not be contingent on their lack of agency due to a medical condition. I truly believe that at some point in our lives, each and every one of us has developed and conquered an unhealthy dependency on something. According to neuroscientist Marc Lewis, the brains of those in recovery from cocaine, alcohol and heroin use can begin to replace lost synapses in as little as six months of abstinence. This is the hard-fought result of counseling, goal setting and medical support, but reaching out takes initiative, and an addiction model which centralizes experience, rather than predisposition, is likely to inspire more people to come forward and seek that medical support — the crucial piece of the recovery puzzle. If we acknowledge that addictions are driven by the same fundamental processes that all other impulsive behaviors are, then we can truly accept people with addiction. After all, we are all victims of impulse, whether or not we currently meet the conditions for a serious addiction to manifest.

Wherever the empirical truth lies on this subject, it should be noted that addiction research, as a field of specialization, is still in its infancy. Dissenting from what might appear to be a medical consensus is not something to be taken lightly, but scientists like Dodes and Lewis are a critical part of the constant refinement that theories undergo. Just 40 years ago, we didn’t have addiction psychiatry, so we should not assume that our understanding of addiction will remain static over the next 40 years. As someone who has grappled with unhealthy dependencies in the past, I know which one of these frameworks more closely matches my experience. The scientific community’s adoption of a flexible model, or the synthesis of some of its ideas into the medical mainstream, can only serve to help those suffering from addiction.

Jacob Wisnock is a freshman majoring in political science.

7. Granddaddy Purple

This indica strain is used by people looking for pain relief, stress relief, increased appetite or a good night of sleep. Granddaddy Purple is very potent and mellows out the entire body into a dreamy state. The strain is perfect for a relaxing night on the couch or right before going to sleep.

6. Durban Poison

Durban Poison serves as a perfect sativa strain. It will energize you and uplift you to be very productive. However, it may stimulate the brain too much and make you a paranoid person if you are already feeling anxiety that day. This strain works best when you are going to do something active, such as any type of art or going on walks.

5. Lava Cake

Lava Cake has the cool benefit of being an indica hybrid cross strain between Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies and Grape Pie. Lava Cake also has a sweet taste to it that boosts its flavor more than a lot of other strains. Lava Cake is a feel-good strain that will make you hungry and looking for a seat to plant yourself in.

4. Gorilla Zkittlez

Similar to White Rhino, Gorilla Zkittlez is not for beginner smokers. Bolstering a tropical flavor, this strain will make you feel happy and goofy. Gorilla Zkittlez is a heavy strain that will slow you down, but it can be great for stress relief.

3. Green Crack

Even more than Durban Poison, Green Crack will make you extremely energized and put you into an active mood. With a delicious fruity flavor, this sativa strain works great at night or during the day. It will make you more talkative than a lot of other strains, especially if your brain is going a mile a minute from it. If you are looking for a fun, cerebral and euphoric experience, Green Crack is the direction to go.

2. White Rhino

White Rhino is a lesser-known strain that really packs a punch. The scent is woodsy with an incredible taste that starts hitting you hard sooner than later. The high is euphoric but still lets you be as productive as you want to be. Despite being more pricey, it makes up for it with its potency, so this is also not the best for beginners.

1. Acapulco Gold

Getting your hands on this strain is a rarity, and should be treasured if you do. The taste of the strain is super interesting, including coffee and woody flavors. Its THC content is relatively high and will produce the usual sativa effects, such as feelings of being uplifted, aroused and energetic. This strain is claimed to be one of the best and definitely lives up to that title by doing its job very well at being a vacation for your brain.

Those are some essential cannabis strains ranked. This is a highly subjective experience, so it may have completely different effects for different people. Everyone can share different moments they have had with a particular strain just like there are different experiences depending on what alcohol you drink, such as wine or liquor. Be sure to always stay safe, take care of yourself and do your research.

The war on drugs and, subsequently, the war on marijuana, exacerbated racial disparities in arrests and prison demographics. Nationally, Black Americans are 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Americans despite comparable usage rates. More importantly, notwithstanding the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana in many states, racial disparity has not changed since 2010. Racial disparities in arrest rates have even increased in some states where marijuana was legalized, such as Maine, where racial disparity nearly doubled from its 2010 pre-legalization rate to its 2018 post-legalization rate. This lack of significant progress in eliminating racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests indicates that progressive marijuana reform alone cannot resolve the over-criminalization of marginalized groups, let alone completely rectify the war on drugs.

The MORE Act would be a step in the right direction for destigmatization, racial justice, prison reform and past wrongdoings. However, those in support of progressive marijuana reform need to be aware that the act is not flawless in practice, and it certainly should not end discussions about drug-related reform and racial justice. Instead, we must highlight the costs of marijuana legalization alongside the benefits and approach it with a healthy level of skepticism.

Perhaps the most evident consequence of marijuana legalization is the emergence of “cannabis capitalism,” which describes the commodification of marijuana through big business. From the start, legalization gained traction through wealthy donors, such as George Soros and Peter Lewis, who spent around $250 million combined toward political support for marijuana policy reform and drug decriminalization. Lobbyists of large organizations have also been a major proponent of legalization efforts, spending over $3.5 million in the first half of 2020 alone.

The interest in legalizing marijuana by wealthy capitalists is in spite of marijuana being a historically racialized plant associated with poor Black and Mexican Americans. The term marijuana, dubbed the “opium of the poor,” was popularized after the Mexican-American War (1846 to 1848) as propaganda against Mexican immigrants, and would further a “culture of poverty” narrative among impoverished immigrant and Black American populations far into the 20th century.

Racist associations of marijuana with poverty have slowly diminished with the image of marijuana as a wellness commodity. While the approval of medical marijuana on a cultural level is understandable, today’s general approval of recreational marijuana use is harder to grasp. Thus, it’s only appropriate to ask, is progressive marijuana reform only acceptable when white people deem it trendy and when the wealthy see the opportunity for profit? Who would the MORE Act truly serve in light of big business’ sudden embrace of marijuana?

The stance of MORE Act supporters on cannabis capitalism is beside the point considering that its consequences are antithetical to the act’s moral elements. Although the goal of racial justice has spearheaded legislation, such as in Illinois, it has hardly been achieved in states that have legalized marijuana. For one, racial disparities also persist in the marijuana business — 80 to 90 percent of businesses are owned by white Americans, despite not having been the most impacted by both the war on drugs and historic demonization.

While the MORE Act does include an equitable licensing grant program dedicated to diversifying marijuana business ownership for those impacted by the war on drugs, there is no measure to prevent wealthy investors from partnering with low-income license applicants through predatory contracts. A similar program in California left low-income licensees vulnerable to buyouts, losing their licenses to investors or being cut off from their resources, such as capital to pay suppliers. Without the legal literacy and capital to cover operating costs that big businesses and wealthy investors possess, those impacted by the war on drugs will continue to be excluded from new economic opportunities and participation in cannabis capitalism despite paving the way for marijuana legalization and regardless of the act’s diversification efforts.

Legalizing marijuana would be a huge milestone, but, as the MORE Act faces the Senate, we should not paint it as devoid of flaws, nor should we be oblivious to the consequences of cannabis capitalism, especially if racial justice is to lead the push for progressive marijuana reform. There will certainly be a plethora of marijuana-related conversations to be had following the MORE Act’s potential passage, including unionization efforts, and they deserve our attention.

Julie Ha is a freshman majoring in philosophy, politics and law.

But how is one supposed to know what to smoke? There sure is a lot of weed out there, and a lot of opinions on what is the best strain to smoke. Well fear not, readers, for I have the list that will put your mind at ease. Now, I may have never smoked weed before, but I certainly know a good name when I hear it. So I present to you my noncomprehensive weed strain name ranking.

15. BF Blue Cheese

Look, I’m sorry but who discovers a weed strain and thinks to themself, “Ah yes, I shall name this after blue cheese.” Well, they probably had the munchies, but still.

14. Skunk Haze

Yeah, this name seems just a tad bit on the nose. No pun intended.

13. Wonder Woman

Of all the superheroes to name weed after, I don’t get how Wonder Woman was the pick when you literally have a man named Shazam.

12. Haze Special

This is definitely a step up from “Skunk Haze,” but there is one thing I don’t quite understand. Isn’t the point of all weed to make you feel special?

11. The Real McCoy

If people smoked weed in Texas, I am 100 percent sure that they would smoke this. I am also 100 percent sure Texas doesn’t bring in many pot smokers.

10. Girl Scout Cookies

There are a lot of culinary references in these names, and Girl Scout Cookies is a pretty good one, although it does give off kind of a lightweight energy.

9. California Indica

Idaho has potatoes. Georgia has peaches. Vermont has maple syrup. California has weed. These are the essential facts of America.

8. CH9 Jack 33

This name gives me massive SCP Foundation energy. Now this could either mean this is the best weed you’ll ever have, or smoking it will unleash the end of the world. Up to you.

7. Blueberry Haze

Of all the “Haze” names on this list, this one is definitely my favorite. There is just something so pleasant to me about blueberries, and it makes this almost an inviting name.

6. Tanzanian Magic

If I am on vacation someday and someone comes up to me and asks me if I want to get high, I would be shocked if that joint wasn’t Tanzanian Magic.

5. The Third Dimension

This name is just really metal. If you go up to someone and ask them what they are smoking and they say, “The Third Dimension,” I think it would be impossible to not respect them.

4. Green Crack

I think this name is pretty self explanatory. I honestly don’t have much else to add here, though given what it is referencing I may not recommend frequent smokings.

3. Lava Cake

Of all the food names on this list, this one is by far my favorite. There is just something so delectable about the idea of smoking lava cake to me, and it will probably give you a great case of the munchies.

2. Morning Star

I can’t put my finger on it, but there is just something so psychedelic about this name that I can’t help but love it. It just is so to the point and chill that I have no choice but to rank it this high.

1. Nebula New Purple Power

I mean, this had to be number one. I do not mince words when I say this is the perfect weed name. It would also be the perfect band name, if you’re into that.

This is one of many statistics regarding alcohol and drug usage among students that have been seen on flyers around the Binghamton University campus since 2019.

The data is often received as a surprise by students, as the flyers aim to combat false perceptions of social norms. The flyers were created as part of the University’s #WhoKnew campaign, an initiative launched in 2019 to reduce underage drinking and drug use. In 2017, BU, along with 19 other SUNY and CUNY schools, had received a five-year grant from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), allowing them to pursue the initiative.

As part of the grant, schools distributed a survey on substance usage, created through SUNY and OASAS, to students in 2017, 2019 and 2021. The University had also used the grant to establish the Binghamton Campus and Community Coalition, a group of local stakeholders that work to reduce substance misuse.

In 2019, BU had partnered with a marketing agency, Idea Kraft, to launch a “social norms” campaign with its survey results. Linda Reynolds, the college prevention coordinator of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) program, said the campaign provides particular benefits in reducing substance use among younger adults.

“Research has indicated that college students tend to overestimate peer substance use and, in turn, this misperception influences individual attitudes and behaviors,” Reynolds wrote in an email. “The goal with a social norms campaign is to correct misperceptions by providing accurate information.”

According to Reynolds, the 2021 survey had used a stratified random sampling method based on year and gender involving 6,999 undergraduate students at BU. Students had been sent the anonymous survey via email, and were also entered into a drawing for a $500 gift card after participating.

Among the questions asked in the fall 2021 survey were questions asking respondents to state the number of days they had smoked weed or used pain medications without a prescription within the past 30 days. Other questions asked students how often they ate before or after alcohol consumption and how often they alternated alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

In the flyers posted around campus regarding student usage of marijuana and prescription pain products, the 30-day stipulation was not included. Anton Schick, a professor of mathematics with a research focus in statistics, suggested the omission of this information was made out of practicality.

“It is important to ask the right question,” Schick wrote in an email. “Maybe the assumption that drug users typically do not quit was made to come to this conclusion. Of course, some students may have experienced drugs in the past, but may no longer be using them.”

According to Schick, a stratified random sampling method was an appropriate approach to the survey, though he said potential issues may arise with respondents not being truthful.

Still, the campaign has sparked conversations among students. One student, Dimitri Gouvoussis, a junior majoring in biomedical engineering, said he had remembered seeing the flyers in dining halls as a freshman. While Gouvoussis said he doubted the truthfulness of the respondents, he said a survey that was not anonymous would likely pose additional challenges.

In regard to the questions asked in the fall 2021 survey, Gouvoussis suggested more frequent drug users would have difficulty remembering their usage in the past 30 days.

“If you were to say marijuana, I would know the answer to that because the answer is zero, but if you were to say something else, no,” Gouvoussis said. “Also, I don’t think I’d be willing to take the effort to recall all the times I did said substance either, especially if there’s no incentive for accuracy.”

Other students, like Thomas Bravata, a junior majoring in psychology, said the data was accurate in regard to their own usage. Bravata said he was still surprised by the information displayed in the posters, though it had caused him to consider the broader issue of drug use on campus.

“The posters kind of help try and show that drug use isn’t as rampant as it might seem to be when you are in certain scenarios like parties and if you want to, say, not give into peer pressure or refuse a certain substance you’re not alone,” Bravata said. “It sort of helps put things into perspective that this sort of party culture isn’t as common as is often stereotyped.”

According to Reynolds, the University has seen some decline in underage drinking since the OASAS grant was provided in 2017, though the effects of the campaign are difficult to gauge. In addition to the social norms campaign, the ATOD office also provides various other initiatives to combat underage drug and alcohol use, including workshops and trainings for students.

As the #WhoKnew campaign continues to promote discourse, Reynolds said the conversations fostered are just one of many ways to reduce substance usage on campus.

“Anecdotally, I do have students regularly come up to me and ask where the data came from, so that indicates to me that the campaign is spurring conversations,” Reynolds wrote. “That’s exactly what we want the social norms campaign to do. The hope is that the campaign challenges students to consider if maybe their perception of what is going on is just reflective of what the media portrays or the immediate handful of friends they surround themselves with, and not actually reflective of the larger campus population. ”

There is an ongoing overdose crisis in Broome County — and not just for opioids, but for all kinds of drug classifications, including cocaine, methamphetamine and counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.

As a result, fatal overdoses are occurring in situations in which there typically wouldn’t be the presence of an opioid. Marissa Knapp, the opioid overdose prevention coordinator at the Broome County Health Department, recommends that students be aware of the risks and resources in Binghamton and in Broome County, and for students who use drugs recreationally to be trained in administering Narcan and carry a Narcan kit.

Below is an updated list of drug and addiction resources for Binghamton University students on and off campus.

ON CAMPUS:

Decker Student Health Services Center

4400 Vestal Pkwy. E., Vestal, New York 13850

(607) 777-2221 or bdoughty@binghamton.edu

Through the Opioid Research Center for Central New York (ORCC-NY), Decker Student Health Services Center has an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program, where students can be trained on how to use and administer naloxone, or Narcan kits, as well as receive Narcan kits once they have been trained. Those who would like to request training or have any additional questions can contact Bennett Doughty, program director and a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice.

The Office of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD)

Room 357, Old O’Connor Hall

lreynold@binghamton.edu or 607-777-3088

The ATOD office, headed by Linda Reynolds, the college prevention coordinator, works with students individually and creates campus-wide programming to “[empower BU] students to make healthy lifestyle choices surrounding substance use,” according to its website. The office also provides services such as eCHECKUP TO GO, an online prevention tool for students to take alcohol, cannabis or nicotine assessments. In addition, the office provides alcohol screenings and intervention, cannabis screening and intervention, environmental management, recovery resources and more.

Binghamton Student Managed Adderall Research Team (B-SMART)

lina@binghamton.edu

B-SMART is a research and educational student-run group that consists of health and wellness studies students aimed to understand the study-drug epidemic on college campuses. According to the group’s “About” page, they have “collected and analyzed data on Adderall (an amphetamine-based drug typically prescribed to individuals with ADHD) abuse on college campuses” and continue to hold educational seminars, classroom visits, discussions and more to promote awareness on misuse of the drug. B-SMART is holding its eighth semiannual seminar on April 25, which will promote awareness about the dangers of study-drug abuse before finals week. For additional information, contact Lina Begdache, mentor of B-SMART and an assistant professor of health and wellness studies.

OFF-CAMPUS:

United Health Services (UHS) Vestal

4417 Vestal Pkwy. E., Vestal, New York 13850

(607) 762-2622

UHS Vestal provides free overdose prevention training and Narcan kits to anyone in need. Those interested can call Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive Narcan training over the phone, with contact-free pickups of Narcan kits offered.

Truth Pharm

49 Pine St., Suite 6, Binghamton NY 13901

607-296-3016

Truth Pharm is a local Southern Tier based organization that attempts to take action, educate and advocate for those impacted by substance use. The group is an anti-harm, not anti-drug, organization that advocates for harm reduction through raising awareness and reducing the stigma of substance misuse. Truth Pharm also provides materials such as fentanyl test strips.

Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP)

22 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13901

(607) 798-1706 or hotline at (800) 333-0892

STAP offers a variety of resources such as HIV, Hepatitis C or sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing. The program provides fentanyl test strips and has a syringe exchange program for injection drug users to exchange new sterile syringes for used syringes to reduce the risk of infection with HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne illnesses. The Riverside Drive location is its main office, but STAP has multiple locations throughout the Southern Tier — all of which can be found here.

Dial 211

In New York state, calling 211 will direct callers to local resources. Callers will be placed on the line with a person who can help direct them to substance misuse resources and help direct them on how to find materials such as fentanyl test strips.

Addiction Center of Broome County (ACBC)

30 W. State St., Binghamton, NY 13901

(607) 723-7308

ACBC offers a variety of services, such as psychiatric evaluations, outpatient clinic and rehabilitation, family navigation and more. The center also has locations in Endicott and Norwich.

Any performance-enhancing drugs are the usual go-to substances for athletes. However, these, along with most other compounds, are banned from many professional and collegiate-level sports, and they don’t really belong in the context of casual sporting experiences. With marijuana becoming increasingly more popular due to recent legalization in some U.S. states, weed seems more tailored to recreational users looking to enhance their casual athletic experiences. Yet not all of these experiences are created equal. In some cases, such as with track and field, marijuana has only contributed to an exponentially more miserable experience. In other sports, however, weed is a welcome and sometimes a necessary augmentation to the sport. Here are the top five sports to play casually while under the influence of marijuana.

5. Wiffle ball

Despite being the forgotten second cousin to baseball, wiffle ball is an iconic sport of American summertime. Nothing screams freedom like the adaptation of one of America’s most popular sports down to a level enjoyable for both adults and young children alike. If the adult experience wasn’t already nostalgic, what better way to relive a childhood classic than to shove marijuana into the equation? Under the influence, a wiffle ball “hits different,” so to speak. Not only does the feeling of pitching evolve into an entirely newfound experience, but the other essential aspects of the game become elevated alongside the initially mundane throwing of a ball. Hitting dingers and running around in the grass is a sensational experience that reawakens the inner child of adult participants while simultaneously building unforgettable memories that will stick around with participants for years to come.

4. Volleyball

To be clear, the indoor version of this sport is probably a miserable experience while high. Outdoor volleyball, however, is a completely different story. The word “volleyball” simply screams summertime and hot weather. It embodies the best parts of the warmer months that come and go from year to year. Volleyball strikes a perfect medium between the competitive and casual nature of most sports. That beautiful ratio is miraculously improved by weed. Outside of the sport itself, just the feeling of feet touching dewy grass or coarse sand under the rays of the warm sun is a memorable experience for the uninitiated stoner. Then, getting to dive for a leather volleyball adds another layer of enjoyment to the already pleasant experience. Combine all of that with the satisfaction of spiking the volleyball and sharing endless laughs with friends. Stoner volleyball is a truly unforgettable life experience and is best played on a hot beach in Cancún.

3. Basketball

Playing basketball while high comes at a bit of a tradeoff. Marijuana can decrease athletic performance, oftentimes leaving the user more easily winded or with a bad case of cotton mouth. However, it also decreases anxiety and can provide a noticeable difference in focus during play. In the case of basketball, running from basket to basket is probably too much activity for someone who’s stoned on the court — but consider this. Just taking 3-pointers the whole game is basically a cheat code for stoners. Posting up outside the arc is convenient and shortens the travel from the defensive end to the offensive transition. All that’s left to do is fire shots from beyond the arc and pray that they go in. The free-feeling mindset allows one to play uninhibited by doubt or worry that the shot will miss, which can be both a positive or a negative. Under the influence of marijuana, it’s essentially the same experience minus the anxiety and with the added benefit of playing high.

2. Lacrosse

It’s unclear why lacrosse is fun to play while stoned. It just is. It seems that any mention of lacrosse under the influence of weed is immediately followed by countless superlatives. What truly stops it from topping out the list is the unfortunate dangers of hard rubber balls being hurled around the field, not to mention the direct shots targeted at whichever brave soul opts to stand in between the pipes. A lacrosse ball to the torso is an easy way to sour a sober experience on the field, and that injury becomes even more insufferable following a team blunt rotation. That, however, appears to be the only downside. The technical and precise aspects of the sport become both more enjoyable and much easier, almost as if an eighth chakra has been unlocked specifically for lacrosse. Surely if marijuana was legal in the realm of upper-level lacrosse competition, the memorable smell of hot AstroTurf would be replaced by the rising scent of the devil’s lettuce.

1. Golf

Drugs are always welcome acquaintances to the casual golfing experience. The golf cart is seemingly one of the greatest inventions in modern sporting, capable of taxiing golfers from hole to hole or, more importantly, from the country club bar to the green expanse of the course. However, why go through all of that trouble when a more relaxing state of mind can be achieved right from the small of a pocket? Dedicating an entire hand to a glass of booze can be such an inconvenience to the average golfer. Marijuana is a different story. Replace that first-hole cigar for a blunt, and allow it to elevate the experience tenfold. Golf attire is typically festooned with different sizes and shapes of pockets for a good reason. Golf, an already tranquil sport on casual participation, is elevated to an entirely new level of enjoyment when accompanied by weed. As far as most other sports are concerned, a casual golf experience is largely uncontested as one of the most relaxing and weed only serves to make that feeling more euphoric. Where that feeling of tranquility ends, the sharp focus for long-range drives and close-range putts begins. It almost feels as though this is the proper way to enjoy the sport. For those looking to find a fun athletics experience as a stoner, golf is the ultimate gateway to the world of inebriated sports.

Editor’s note: Doing physical activity while under the influence of any substance is dangerous. We do not encourage participating in athletics while high and urge you to prioritize your safety. Always use caution, do your research and prioritize your health and safety.

10. “The Untouchables” (1987)

Do not forget that alcohol is a drug, and perhaps the best film to tackle Prohibition-era politics is “The Untouchables.” The film explores how a small team of federal agents was able to take down Al Capone by exposing his tax evasion. The film is absolutely riveting from start to finish and gives a look into the world of organized crime during Prohibition.

9. “Pulp Fiction” (1994)

“Pulp Fiction” weaves together several nonlinear stories of the Los Angeles underworld to create one of the most influential and acclaimed films of all time. Although drugs are peripheral to the main plotline, the use of heroin is pervasive throughout the film. One of the most memorable scenes involves a harrowing heroin overdose and the race to save the victim with a shot of adrenaline. Simultaneously disturbing, inventive and humorous, “Pulp Fiction” manages to give an inside look into the grim realities of the drug scene of 1990s Los Angeles.

8. “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)

Few films have the courage to be as open in their portrayal of stockbroker culture as “The Wolf of Wall Street,” which is what makes the film so captivating. Stockbroker Jordan Belfort is easily corrupted by the Wall Street culture of drugs, prostitution and deception. The film shows copious amounts of use of both cocaine and Quaaludes, with one scene of Belfort trying to get to his car while high being a standout in terms of memorability and cinematic importance.

7. “Trainspotting” (1996)

“Trainspotting” can be best described as a film that gives a haunting look into the drug scene in Edinburgh, Scotland. The film follows Renton, played by a young Ewan McGregor, as he struggles with heroin addiction, going back and forth on quitting and relapsing. The most iconic scene from the film occurs when Renton swims down a toilet and the imagery is somehow fantastical and horrifying at the same time, portraying the dreamlike state of being on drugs.

6. “Scarface” (1932) & 5. “Scarface” (1983)

“Say hello to my little friend” — two excellent, but not so little, films called “Scarface.” Both the original 1932 film and remake from 1983 are Hollywood classics for good reason. They follow Tony Camonte/Tony Montana as he becomes a crime lord in the world of drugs. The 1932 version features alcohol as the illicit drug while the 1983 remake uses cocaine, and comparison of the two films provides an interesting insight into how much Hollywood had changed since its inception in the way that violence and drugs could be portrayed on screen.

4. “The Deer Hunter” (1978)

Michael Cimino’s epic Vietnam War masterpiece “The Deer Hunter” is one of the most emotionally moving and impactful films ever made. The film, which is over three hours long, tracks three friends as they face war, imprisonment and death during their deployment in Vietnam. The tragedy of the film centers on one of the character’s use of heroin to self-medicate his PTSD, eventually leading to a heartbreaking ending.

3. “Moonlight” (2016)

Although “Moonlight” only has one brief scene of characters using hard drugs on screen, the theme of drugs and their impact is at the beating heart of the film. This conflict is captured perfectly through Mahershala Ali’s performance as Juan, a charismatic drug dealer who has to come to terms with the fact that he is selling crack that is damaging his friend’s life. This gripping drama of growing up and sexuality is punctuated with a look into how drugs can destroy families and relationships.

2. “City of God” (2002)

This Brazilian crime film details the paths of two parallel characters — Rocket as he tries to become a photographer and escape the crime world of Rio de Janeiro, and Li’l Zé as he engrosses himself in organized crime and rises through its ranks. The grim juxtaposition between these two characters make it one of the best films ever made to portray drugs on screen, particularly the role of organized crime in the drug business.

1. “Requiem for a Dream” (2000)

There is no doubt in my mind that “Requiem for a Dream” deserves its spot as the best film ever made about drugs. I do not think that I have ever seen a film that is more tragic, harrowing and desperate in its portrayal of how drug addiction can tear people’s lives apart. The film has four main characters, all of whom struggle with addiction to either heroin or prescription drugs, and each of their endings show the different directions that addiction can lead to. To top it all off, the film has a devastating score with a haunting main theme that reflects the car crash-like quality of the story.

10. “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” (2004)

This iconic “buddy stoner comedy” follows two friends, Harold and Kumar, who struggle with persistent munchies and crave food from the hamburger chain White Castle. Harold and Kumar attempt to navigate New Jersey, facing absurd obstacles on their journey to the restaurant. Get ready to laugh and pack a snack for this period piece that makes us all so very grateful for food delivery services.

9. “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)

“Alice in Wonderland” is a commonly referenced film when it comes to psychedelics, but why keep weed from Wonderland? The film is visually unique and follows peculiar characters and storylines, opening up the mind to a new, animated world where one questions their reality and consciousness.

8. “Inception” (2010)

I am sure this classic movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio is familiar to most people, but have you ever watched it while high? To be honest, yes, this movie is confusing, and yes, Christopher Nolan does push the boundaries on what “makes sense.” However, this intricate plotline can be further appreciated when you are high and focusing on every detail and possibility that your imagination takes you to. After watching this you surely will have some questions about dreams, the mind, reality and just about anything far removed from your normal day-to-day thought processes.

7. “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” (2004)

“SpongeBob SquarePants,” whether it be in movie or television form, is never a bad idea, especially when high. The cartoon alone is hilarious, visually appealing and ridiculous in terms of characters, plots and just the overall nature and rules of the show. Turning the “SpongeBob” world into a box office hit wasn’t too difficult. With the common themes of saving Bikini Bottom from the reign of Plankton and securing the Krusty Krab secret formula, SpongeBob and Patrick are seen in their prime. This movie has a fire soundtrack, guest stars, humor and overall just does a great job of expanding the world of “SpongeBob” and Bikini Bottom.

6. “Ready Player One” (2018)

“Ready Player One,” based on the book of the same name by Ernest Cline, is perfect for anyone who loves a science fiction, dystopian story. The novel alone follows an interesting plotline, but being translated into film allows for a visually immersive experience with detailed graphics of a futuristic virtual reality video game, also known as the OASIS.

5. “Knives Out” (2019)

This murder mystery has just the right amount of thrill without being too scary and causing paranoia. There are exciting twists and turns, and plenty of time to piece together who you think committed the crime. It doesn’t hurt that Chris Evans also makes an appearance, as he truly is a sight for sore, red eyes.

4. “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” (2006) and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” (2020)

I’m not going to lie, you either love “Borat” or you hate it. Personally, I find both movies to be entertaining and hilarious, but if you are not a fan of mockumentaries or the very specific humor that Sacha Baron Cohen portrays, you might find yourself offended by such movies. That being said, if you do find this humor funny, it will be 10 times better high and will open your eyes up to the many flaws of society, a reflection that is at times critical to partake in.

3. “Our Planet” (2019)

I don’t think I have ever met someone who doesn’t enjoy watching “Our Planet” when they are high. Luckily, in 2019, Netflix released the series along with an hourlong behind-the-scenes documentary. Although the documentary might not exactly be considered a “movie,” I think it is necessary to include because there is nothing that competes with a nature documentary, especially “Our Planet,” when you’re stoned. The videography is unreal, literally taking you into jungles, coastal seas and other incredible places with exotic animals and organisms. “Our Planet” shows us how extraordinary the world is, which is distinctively comforting and exciting to see when you are under the influence of one of the world’s most beloved creations.

2.”Shrek” (2001)

Time and time again, “Shrek” never fails to be a fan-favorite film, but let’s be honest, the demographic has definitely changed a bit over the years, shifting from children to stoners, with very few differences between the two. Let’s face it, “Shrek” is just a funny movie, with Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy playing a Shrek-Donkey duo that could never be replaced. Duloc’s other fairy-tale creatures only add to the humor and outlandish characters, although you will have to watch the later films to experience some of the notable additions such as Puss in Boots. Like always, DreamWorks pulls off an awesome animation for this movie and brings this hilarious, bizarre fairy-tale masterpiece to life.

1. “Interstellar” (2014)

Similarly to “Inception,” “Interstellar” is a Christopher Nolan film that makes you think complexly as you are transported into another reality, this one in space. “Interstellar” touches on concepts such as anomalies, general relativity, wormholes and black holes, so if you are a fan of astronomy you might be extra engaged in this movie. However, you do not need any real knowledge of astrophysics, as this movie follows a purely fictional plot based loosely off science and primarily off Nolan’s ability to access the imagination and make viewers ask questions and contemplate the expansive possibilities of the universe.

Hemp Geek

Hemp Geek is a CBD store located on 2508 Vestal Pkwy. E in Vestal as well as on 1332 Upper Front St. in Binghamton. According to their Facebook page, the store offers “a wide range of CBD hemp products, including water soluble tinctures, pills, lotions, vape oils, hemp flower, concentrates, prefilled 510 cartridges and more.”

Sugar Mountain

Founded in 2005 by a couple of Grateful Dead fans, Sugar Mountain is a hemp and alternative shop located on 42 Court St. in Binghamton. According to the shop’s website, the store has been around for over 20 years, priding itself on “superior customer service, premium-quality products and fair pricing.”

CBD Supply.store

CBD Supply.store is a CBD store located on 4301 Vestal Road in Vestal. According to their website, the store considers itself “an upstate New York startup that in realizing the powerful potential of CBD and its healing properties.” It offers a “cost-effective” product, in contrast to the typical “confusing and expensive” processes surrounding CBD use. They exclusively carry CUBED Naturals brand products, a Vestal-based CBD brand that, according to the website, “has created their own step program for proper dosing” involving specially standardized bottles.

Xhale

Located on 104 Main St. in Binghamton, Xhale is a smoke shop that, according to their Facebook, carries “everything from hookah, hookah products, vapes, tobacco and anything 420-friendly.”

Your CBD Store

Your CBD Store is a CBD store located on 1901 Vestal Pkwy. E in Vestal. This location is one of a chain of CBD stores that started in 2018, and sells its own brand of products known as SunMed. According to their website, “each Your CBD store offers a safe, comfortable and inviting environment where guests can learn about CBD, try samples and feel empowered to make an informed decision on the best cannabinoid formulation option for them.”

While there are many options to find something to smoke, these options will help lead you to best decide where to go to guide the festivities on 4/20. Happy smoking!