The Thursday, Sept. 4 front-page article “Weed Grows Wild,” lacked a few basic journalistic considerations in a poor attempt to sensationalize a non-issue.

First, as the lead paragraph states, wild hemp proliferates regularly throughout Iowa; it is not a unique occurrence.

Therefore, the premise of the article is a fact that could be found in any extension publication rather than a previously unexposed nugget uncovered by the Daily.

Second, the photograph accompanying the article is not even timely, as the piece goes on to explain, the weed was eradicated from the sorority grounds this summer.

The use of this photograph appears to be a case of visual manipulation, serving only as a shaky construct to support the article.

Aside from the fact that this article is untimely and hardly newsworthy, the most disturbing aspect of this piece is that, in its placement on the front page, it speaks volumes about Iowa State.

Anyone visiting our campus that day will be left wondering if growing marijuana is a hot issue at our university.

Hopefully, no judgement will be passed before the critical reader sees that the article “Weed Grows Wild” is merely a case of poor placement, poor taste and a poor attempt to create news.

---

Rachel Faber

Freshman

Biology/Pre-med