By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Students from the Human Health Sciences 350 class (Health Policy & Politics) are having their work displayed in the Gatton Student Center this week as a pop-up show until April 26 in the fireside lounge across from the bookstore. 

“Students were asked to create persuasive infographics related to a bill of their choice from the Kentucky legislature,” said Katie Goldey, PhD, CCC-SLP and lecturer in the department of Health & Clinical Sciences.

“This then led into a ‘policy open house’ we did in class followed by a mock legislature,” she continued.

The display includes infographics from about 26 students, and the show is curated by Katherine Gemperline, a graduate student in the School of Art and Visual Studies.

Katelyn Deck, a 20-year-old HHS student from Louisville, chose to feature House Bill 160, which proposes a new section of the Kentucky constitution to guarantee the right of an individual 21 years of age or older to possess, use by, or sell 1 ounce or less of cannabis, and to cultivate, harvest and store up to five cannabis plants for personal use.

“I chose this bill because I thought it would be fun and controversial, and also because it has personally affected some people in my life,” Deck said. “Personally, I found the entire assignment pretty entertaining. It really helped me understand that being involved in politics isn’t as hard as it seems.”

Deck said that while she knows drugs can be dangerous, she also wants people to look at marijuana with an open mind.

“Weed gets a bad name due to its use as a street drug when in fact, it is proven to help with issues such as anxiety, general pain and even Parkinson’s,” Deck said. “When compared to some drugs currently on the market, it can even be considered safer than average. A different lens shows that this drug can become an amazing medicine if used right.”

Other topics include: The establishment of vapor retail licenses, capital punishment and the future of perinatal care. 

Look for Deck’s poster, as well as the others, in the Student Center throughout the rest of this week.