Excerpt:
http://www.meetup.com/occupytogether/Merced-CA/
Excerpt:
- Court House Square Park
- Merced, CA
Christine Meeusen
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/OccupyMerced Twitter @OccupyMerced Email Occupymerced@yahoo.com
http://www.cannabisnews.org/united-states-cannabis-news/can-legalizing-pot-improve-central-valleys-economy/
Excerpt:
“Your God given right to vote, to toke.” While such sentiments are hardly foreign in university campuses and collegiate discourse, they were probably the last words I expected to see on this particular picket sign.
And yet there they were, plastered in large, block letters and being toted around Merced College by an unlikely candidate.
A nun had come to visit Merced College, but the gospel she preached contained a different message. Wielding a sign advocating the legalization of marijuana, she was set to make disciples, or at the very least encourage students to register to vote.
Although Kate van Dijk is not really a nun ( which her sign is quick to point out ), the self-proclaimed marijuana enthusiast is nevertheless on a mission, whether it be from God or not. And she bears her cross proudly. “I’m encouraging everyone who isn’t registered to vote to do so because there will be an important proposition on the ballot next November.”
Fully equipped with voter registration forms and a slew of spitfire facts and statistics, van Dijk is one of many in California who are passionate about seeing the prohibition on marijuana lifted. Relentlessly citing government-issued statistics and records, even quoting Thomas Jefferson, van Dijk is eager to put forth the arguments for her cause.
She details the criminalization of marijuana as a historical process steeped in product monopolization, political and pharmaceutical greed, racism and unabashed indoctrination from government-funded institutions and school systems.
Furthermore, according to van Dijk, hundreds of millions of dollars are being taken out of the Central Valley by buyers and sellers alike who go to more weed-friendly cities like Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles. These cities have approved dispensaries where those carrying medical marijuana cards can purchase the drug freely and legally.
Van Dijk sees these dispensaries as the first step toward outright legalization of marijuana. But it is not enough. “Money that can be spent on colleges and the public school system is being carried out of the Valley because of unnecessary prohibition on marijuana. We need to save the Valley and devote more money to our schools and our kids.”
Van Dijk firmly believes that spreading understanding on this issue is key to successfully legalizing marijuana. It is this confidence that finds her going to great lengths, even dressing as a nun and meandering around the local community college, to get her message out there.
But what do Merced College students think of the issue?
Many students give their enthusiastic support to the legalization of marijuana. Most of these students projected that taxing marijuana will bring lots of money that is already floating around California into the state’s hands to be redirected toward financially weakened areas such as school systems and jobs.
Others point to the inconsistency of the legalization of alcohol but not marijuana, arguing that it is less harmful to society and one’s health than alcohol and that similar restrictions can be placed on marijuana to limit any negative consequences.
One instructor at Merced College summed up what seemed to be the main arguments by stating three points in favor of legalization:
“It would help save our economy, it would give validity to a substance that has been unfairly demonized, and it would reinforce our freedom of choice, which is an act of civil liberty inherent in the Constitution.”
Some students, however, are not so supportive, arguing that marijuana use increases complacency in society and encourages lazy, irresponsible behavior. These students maintain that ends do not always justify means, stating that something is heavily prevalent or economically profitable does not warrant its acceptance. Such passive and pragmatic arguments are bad criteria for determining what is right and lawful.
In the midst of these contending views and opposing beliefs is our sign-touting nun, wandering around Merced College and desperate to make a difference. And while her arguments are well documented and purported by countless books, Web sites and government officials ( most notably Republican Rep. Ron Paul ), she speaks them with a fiery conviction and excitement that makes you think she is onto something new and revolutionary. And she invites you to come along.
Ultimately, the issue of legalizing marijuana will be settled in courtrooms and voting booths. Van Dijk and her colleagues anticipate it being on the ballot in November and are very optimistic about the results.
As singer John Mayer croons, “Who says I can’t get stoned?”
The government does. At least for now.
Jon Benton is a student at Merced College.
Source: Merced Sun-Star (CA)
Copyright: 2009 Merced Sun-Star
Contact: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/284
Website: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/
Author: Jon Benton
http://www.cannabisnews.org/united-states-cannabis-news/can-legalizing-pot-improve-central-valleys-economy/
Excerpt:
Can Legalizing Pot Improve Central Valley’s Economy?
“Your God given right to vote, to toke.” While such sentiments are hardly foreign in university campuses and collegiate discourse, they were probably the last words I expected to see on this particular picket sign.And yet there they were, plastered in large, block letters and being toted around Merced College by an unlikely candidate.
A nun had come to visit Merced College, but the gospel she preached contained a different message. Wielding a sign advocating the legalization of marijuana, she was set to make disciples, or at the very least encourage students to register to vote.
Although Kate van Dijk is not really a nun ( which her sign is quick to point out ), the self-proclaimed marijuana enthusiast is nevertheless on a mission, whether it be from God or not. And she bears her cross proudly. “I’m encouraging everyone who isn’t registered to vote to do so because there will be an important proposition on the ballot next November.”
Fully equipped with voter registration forms and a slew of spitfire facts and statistics, van Dijk is one of many in California who are passionate about seeing the prohibition on marijuana lifted. Relentlessly citing government-issued statistics and records, even quoting Thomas Jefferson, van Dijk is eager to put forth the arguments for her cause.
She details the criminalization of marijuana as a historical process steeped in product monopolization, political and pharmaceutical greed, racism and unabashed indoctrination from government-funded institutions and school systems.
Furthermore, according to van Dijk, hundreds of millions of dollars are being taken out of the Central Valley by buyers and sellers alike who go to more weed-friendly cities like Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles. These cities have approved dispensaries where those carrying medical marijuana cards can purchase the drug freely and legally.
Van Dijk sees these dispensaries as the first step toward outright legalization of marijuana. But it is not enough. “Money that can be spent on colleges and the public school system is being carried out of the Valley because of unnecessary prohibition on marijuana. We need to save the Valley and devote more money to our schools and our kids.”
Van Dijk firmly believes that spreading understanding on this issue is key to successfully legalizing marijuana. It is this confidence that finds her going to great lengths, even dressing as a nun and meandering around the local community college, to get her message out there.
But what do Merced College students think of the issue?
Many students give their enthusiastic support to the legalization of marijuana. Most of these students projected that taxing marijuana will bring lots of money that is already floating around California into the state’s hands to be redirected toward financially weakened areas such as school systems and jobs.
Others point to the inconsistency of the legalization of alcohol but not marijuana, arguing that it is less harmful to society and one’s health than alcohol and that similar restrictions can be placed on marijuana to limit any negative consequences.
One instructor at Merced College summed up what seemed to be the main arguments by stating three points in favor of legalization:
“It would help save our economy, it would give validity to a substance that has been unfairly demonized, and it would reinforce our freedom of choice, which is an act of civil liberty inherent in the Constitution.”
Some students, however, are not so supportive, arguing that marijuana use increases complacency in society and encourages lazy, irresponsible behavior. These students maintain that ends do not always justify means, stating that something is heavily prevalent or economically profitable does not warrant its acceptance. Such passive and pragmatic arguments are bad criteria for determining what is right and lawful.
In the midst of these contending views and opposing beliefs is our sign-touting nun, wandering around Merced College and desperate to make a difference. And while her arguments are well documented and purported by countless books, Web sites and government officials ( most notably Republican Rep. Ron Paul ), she speaks them with a fiery conviction and excitement that makes you think she is onto something new and revolutionary. And she invites you to come along.
Ultimately, the issue of legalizing marijuana will be settled in courtrooms and voting booths. Van Dijk and her colleagues anticipate it being on the ballot in November and are very optimistic about the results.
As singer John Mayer croons, “Who says I can’t get stoned?”
The government does. At least for now.
Jon Benton is a student at Merced College.
Source: Merced Sun-Star (CA)
Copyright: 2009 Merced Sun-Star
Contact: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/284
Website: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/
Author: Jon Benton
No comments:
Post a Comment