US CA: Legalize Pot? Three Teens Speak Out

rich420 · 03-30-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

LEGALIZE POT? THREE TEENS SPEAK OUT

A curmudgeonly worldview would see teens as nothing but dope fiends and hopheads who would, of course, be all for the legalization of marijuana because they just cannot get enough of that reefer.

Wrong and wrong, folks.

This week, Teen Style is exploring what local high schoolers are actually thinking about California's political toying with the legalization of marijuana.

Teens are pretty on the level and know the pros and cons of this situation.

So let's go ahead and perhaps slowly erase images of a live version of a 1950s public service announcement.

Are you for or against the legalization of marijuana?

Kevin Yarbrough, El Sereno High School: "I'm absolutely opposed."

Danielle Wordelman, Loretto High School: "Well, if I have an opinion on this issue, it's that I don't think it's an issue. I have no inclination here, and it doesn't affect me either way."

Jacob Ruffman, Granite Bay High School: "I'm for its legalization."

What has your upbringing as well as your drug education taught you about marijuana and marijuana use?

Kevin: "I guess all kids are raised in elementary school to just say no. I was mostly taught abstinence for health reasons."

Danielle: "At my school, I guess we were taught from a moral and health standpoint. We were taught that there were social consequences, like you'd smell bad and people will call you a stoner, and that it's bad for you. It was drilled that you'd be ostracized and dependent."

Jacob: "Most of my education has come as secondhand knowledge through health classes and people who use marijuana. The overall perspective I've been exposed to is that it's not a bad thing, though it's still not something to be trifled with. More of the warnings on marijuana have come from a moral perspective, like you will be perceived as a bad person. But I feel like it should be looked at as a 100 percent health issue rather than a moral matter."

As an illegal street drug, how do you feel marijuana negatively affects young people?

Kevin: "I think people get high and drive. And in a bigger way, it affects a lot of cities, creating gangs and drug-dealing problems."

Danielle: "I just kind of fear for people's lives. If you smoke marijuana, you can become dependent on it. And what if they get in accidents? Lives can be cut short."

Jacob: "Of course marijuana has a negative impact on young people's lives. If you get labeled as someone who smokes marijuana, the conclusion is that you are lazy and try to avoid reality, and that's an immediate stigma. It severs relationships with other people if you are someone who smokes weed chronically, no pun intended."

What do you see as the positives of marijuana being sold legally?

Kevin: "I guess it's possible that it could get rid of the black market selling of it, which might cut down crime."

Danielle: "People will stop making such a big deal about it. I'm always confused as to why people care so much about this."

Jacob: "There is one big positive and that's that it would create so much income for the state and would raise a supreme amount of money through taxes. I also think this is a chance to crack down on outside drug-dealing, which would lower crime rates."

What are the negatives?

Kevin: "This will make the usage of marijuana more prevalent."

Danielle: "I think that if marijuana were more accessible, it would get into the wrong hands. It would be available to younger and kids, and that really worries me."

Jacob: "Worst-case scenario, crime rates go up as there may be more incidents of DUI. There's no question that it impairs your judgment. Then there's the issue of how many people would actually buy it, and would it even create an actual profit."

How do you feel the legalization of marijuana would affect teenagers?

Kevin: "I think teenagers as a whole use marijuana a lot already. This would make it just like alcohol. Even though alcohol is strictly regulated, it doesn't stop it from getting to teenagers."

Danielle: "I'm pretty sure it would not decrease the use of marijuana, but it probably wouldn't increase it too much, either. People can get it pretty easily now."

Jacob: "It will make marijuana more like alcohol. I don't think teenagers will be affected too much * a small population may smoke weed more. But at the same time, I feel most would avoid it because it can be tested for. If you drink alcohol, that leaves your system pretty quickly. But if you smoke and then you get a hair test, you can get busted a year later."

What is the climate at school? Have you heard any talk about kids being in favor or opposed?

Kevin: "People are more for it, but I know I'm not the only one who is against it."

Danielle: "I don't hear too much talk about it, and I don't really have time for the news."

Jacob: "Most people I know would like to see it legalized, and there are others who don't really care. This isn't a big issue, like gay marriage is or Obama vs. McCain was. This is just another issue."

Thought this was a pretty good article to share.

Source: US CA: Legalize Pot? Three Teens Speak Out

mud_head · 03-30-2009, 04:07 PM

jacob is a stoner. he made a pot joke.

MestUp7 · 03-30-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mud_head

jacob is a stoner. he made a pot joke.

But he doesn't think it's a big issue, so maybe not?

Either way, let's all punch Kevin in the face.

dk15 · 03-30-2009, 06:35 PM

hahaha, I'm with you Mest.

byrned · 03-30-2009, 08:55 PM

Kevin: "This will make the usage of marijuana more prevalent."

Wait, really?

-_-

Psych0Pyr0 · 03-30-2009, 09:33 PM

it sounds like they just bs all sides of the issue and labeled it as generic teen names.

03-30-2009, 08:55 PM	#5
byrned Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 159 Grams: 2,392.75 Thanks: 61 Thanked 35 Times in 22 Posts Stock Portfolio Total Value: 0.000 Gain/Loss: 0.000%	Kevin: "This will make the usage of marijuana more prevalent." Wait, really? -_- __________________ In obscurity or fame we're all playing in this game, Searching for something, Searching for something. -Ziggy

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