SET THE GANJA FREE

COM 210
Reaction Story
Assignment # 1

Local residents of St. Augustine, Fla. express opinions about the legalization of marijuana in California. California’s renowned governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to research the benefits of legalizing marijuana to help budget deficit. Luckily, 4 generous residents affiliated with Flagler College assist in getting a growing consensus of how St. Augustine feels on legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. Taken from the Miami Herald, “Well, I think it’s not time for (legalization), but I think it’s time for a debate,” Schwarzenegger said.

Chantiyana Beckett, 20, a current student at Flagler College gives her input. “Yes, I do agree with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s idea. It’s not going to affect me, but I should definitely consider moving to California! It would, also hopefully give the mayor of St. Augustine the idea to legalize marijuana. I feel marijuana is simply an herbal plant which is totally natural and gives you a natural high. You never hear of people dying from smoking marijuana. It helps your eye sight and is good for people with asthma. This proposition will help create jobs and assist the economy in just the right way to eventually spread the idea to the east coast. Beckett refers to Gov. Schwarzenegger as a “true hustler.”

Adrienne Donelson, 19, agrees with Beckett in supporting the plans of Gov. Schwarzenegger. The student says, “These efforts will affect me in a way of boosting the economy and hopefully rub off on other states.” Not only does Donelson feel it will help the economy, but stop drug crimes as well.

Jennifer Butler, 21, looks at the idea from a different perspective from the previous opinions, yet still supports the legalization. Jennifer believes that alcohol use in society is much worse than that of marijuana. “It will affect me, because if the law gets passed in California it will move out to other states and eventually get to St. Augustine. Gov. Schwarzenegger is thinking very logical about the situation.”

A librarian by the name of Brian Nesselrode, 37, does not agree with the marijuana being legalized for recreational purposes. “I really don’t think it will affect me one way or another. I don’t think marijuana should be legalized, because I just don’t! It will simply just cause more controversy. I don’t fault Gov. Schwarzenegger for looking into ways to help with the state’s financial crisis, but this is not the way to solve it.”

Tuesday May 5, 2009 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he’s open to debate on legal pot. Chronicle staff writer, Wyatt Buchanan examines the information being proposed in the dilemma. Buchanan writes, “The governor’s comments were made as support grows nationwide for relaxing pot laws and only days after a poll found that for the first time a majority of California voters back legal marijuana. According to the growing consensus, it seems St. Augustine will soon be contributing to the majority of backing marijuana as well.