Public Relations

For my PR class, we were told to write a professional press release about an alternative energy discovery made my CU. All of the details were up to us. Here is what I wrote:

Contact:

Catherine Marylander

Media Relations Director

Public Relations, Inc.

(303)-717-8415

catherine.marylander@colorado.edu

For immediate release – September 25, 2012

CU Boulder Faculty Discovers Unexpected Energy Source

Unexpected use of marijuana smoke changes the way people look at an illegal drug

Boulder, Colo., September 24, 2012 - Earlier this month, scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder discovered that the smoke released from smoking marijuana can be captured, processed and used as an alternative energy source. Scientists utilized the school's abundance of marijuana smoke and found a method using newly created Cannabis Technology to power entire buildings and possibly cars using only this smoke. This discovery may fill the world's need for a alternative energy source that promotes a greener world.

A team of scientists, lead by Dr. John Anderson, came together on the CU Boulder campus in early 2010 to combine their years of schooling and passion for a greener future. They attempted to use the rapid waters of the Boulder Creek, glacial run off, and solar power to generate enough energy to power their energy lab. All of these alternatives proved futile. Finally, Anderson's son suggested he and his team utilize the local student body's habit of smoking pot. “I was skeptical to draw more attention to the school's already bad reputation brought on by the pot-smoking culture, however, due to the chemical properties in Cannabis, it became hard for me to ignore the opportunities,” commented Anderson.

CU Boulder has always had a negative reputation due to the notion that they are a “stoner school.” This implies that the student body frequently partakes in the illegal consumption of marijuana. However, since this new discovery, the reason for CU Boulder's bad reputation might end up being the same factor that makes the school go down in alternative energy history.

Many new questions are bound to arise due to this new discovery. Governmental officials have expressed some disapproval due to the illegal nature of marijuana itself. Senator Michael Bennett explained, “Marijuana is still an illegal drug. Until we have done further research on it's effects on the human brain, this fact will not change. It's possible use as an alternative energy source only encourages further research.” Will this discovery change the nations view of pot as a drug? Will it be legalized? Does this encourage more people to start smoking.

University of Colorado at Boulder

The flagship university in the state of Colorado, CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities. It is a public university with 25,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students.

Contact –

Philip DiStefano

(303)-495-9235

philip.distefano@colorado.edu

Dr. John Anderson

John Anderson received his Bachelors in chemical engineering from Colorado School of Mines in 1982 and then attended graduate school and received his PhD from Stanford University a mere four years later. He has been at CU Boulder for 10 years both researching and teaching.

Contact –

(303)-439-9800

john.anderson@colorado.edu

Senator Micheal Bennett

Bennett was elected to be Senator of Colorado in November of 2010. He is a democratic senator who stands for creating jobs and holding the federal government fiscally responsible.

Contact -

1127 Sherman St., Suite 150

Denver, Colorado 80203

(303) 455-7600