LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Chronic Candy is a hemp-based treat sold in “dime bags” that feature marijuana leaf logos. Though it contains no mind-altering chemicals, the Suffolk County legislature officially banned the sale of all “marijuana candy” (including Chronic Candy) on March 15, arguing that it advocates drug use to minors.

Pulse spoke with a distributor of Chronic Candy as well as legislators who have fought to ban its sale.  The man responsible for bringing the lollipops and chewy sweets to the U.S., Tony Van Pelt, (also known as Tony Montana) argues that he is selling a harmless product. He said he plans to put warning labels on the candies and encourages stores to only sell the product to customers over 18. But if other towns and cities follow suit on Suffolk’s ban, it will put the kabbash on Chronic Candy sales. (Although they can still be bought on the net.)

  IF you think hip-hop simply means the jams played on Hot97 and Power 105, you’re sadly mistaken. Hip-hop culture is much broader (there are four elements; six if you ask Hofstra’s hip-hop community) and is gaining recognition in college classrooms across the U.S., with graffiti, scratching and break dancing classes offered at some schools. Pulse examines these classes as well as the hip-hop elements specific to Hofstra, including the 6^th Element, a hip-hop poetry/rap group on campus and the shows on WRHU that feature hip-hop music.

Speaking of airwaves, M.I.A. is an edgy, Sri Lankan rebel with some funktastic reggae songs that have gained popularity through mp3 sharing. Pulse features a profile of the controversial artist, whose album was recently released in the U.S. after her legal problems and censorship issues were resolved.

Another intriguing profile is that of Sgt. Patrick Venetek, a former Hofstra student. Everyone goes through rough periods in life—from bad grades and break-ups to death and disease. But imagine how you would feel if your only sibling was hospitalized shortly before you found your father lying dead on the floor. Two weeks later—before you’ve even had time to digest the trauma—you find out you’re getting shipped off to Iraq.

This is a reality for Venetek, who is a guard at Abu Ghraib. prison, and spoke to Pulse about his experience. His courage and faith are apptakes trips through the tumultuous city of Baghdad or sits holed up in a prison cell that has become his new dorm room.

Thanks for reading; I hope you learn and enjoy.