By Patrick Lynn

STEVENS POINT — A new lecture series at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will begin Oct. 14 with a program exploring the history and cultural shifts surrounding cannabis in Wisconsin.

The event, titled “The History of Cannabis in Wisconsin and Beyond,” will start at 5:30 p.m. in the Dreyfus University Center. Originally scheduled for Sept. 23, the lecture was postponed after a small fire in the building’s food court required attention from local fire crews.

The presentation will feature Brian Barringer, professor and chair of the university’s Department of Biology. Barringer will discuss UW-Stevens Point’s multidisciplinary research and teaching program focused on cannabis, tracing its long history of cultivation and the plant’s changing role in science, regulation, and public perception.

“Wisconsin was once one of our nation’s leading producers of cannabis,” Barringer said. “By studying this history, we gain insight into how past choices shape current opportunities for research, innovation, and community well-being.”

The lecture is part of the 2025–26 College of Letters and Science Community Engagement Series, which invites participants to join discussions on cannabis cultivation, regulation, and public health. The event is free and open to the public, though registration by Oct. 12 is encouraged to ensure seating. Tickets can be reserved at uwspcannabis.eventbrite.com.

A second fall lecture, “Cannabis Social and Legal Landscape Shifts,” will take place Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. Both events will be available for livestream viewing.

More information about the series is available at uwsp.edu/2025-2026-community-engagement-series.