Editors:
I have been reading the writings of Beth Mendenhall this semester and have begun to wonder whether she actually believes the things she writes or is just trying to get K-State faculty and students riled up.
With her most recent article on cannabis, I decided I needed to speak out. The entire article by Mendenhall is the typical “hippy” argument, and there is nothing of educational value. I can hear a high school dropout working at Burger King make a better argument for the legalization of pot.
Mendenhall quotes The Declaration of Independence by saying “... every citizen’s right to ‘Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness,’” then says that not being able to smoke pot infringes on our right to be happy.
Please re-read the text. We have the right to “pursue” happiness, we are not entitled to it, and happiness must come within the boundaries of our laws as a country. Being able to drive home from Aggieville after a long night of drinking would make many college students “happy” because they wouldn’t need designated drivers, but it’s still illegal.
Also, in regard to one of her final arguments, legalization “... reduced government spending on the War on Drugs...” is a huge misconception. Just because it would be legal in the United States does not mean we wouldn’t import it. Eventually drug companies (or whoever you want to sell it) will realize they can import more for cheaper.
This is the same reason some American companies export so many jobs. America’s economy is based on the products we offer, while other countries - take Mexico, for example - are based on labor and at the cheap rate they can make the products.
Finally, one rather simple point to add - the article says “100 million” people have smoked pot. Please take into account the states that have legalized pot for medical use and then think about the size of our country: over 300 million. Less than one-third of our country has smoked pot, so less than half of the country would legalize it. Since the majority doesn’t want it, little will ever be done to legalize it.
Jacob R Hughes, junior in electronic media and political science
37 comments
Wow. Buddy I hate to break it to you but you are in the minority, and the minority in this particular case is beyond ignorant and hasn't fully grasped the importance of education. They need it, because they shape their beliefs, such as you did, on what others told them or the stigma attached to cannabis.
Pleeeaassseee, I'm begging you to leave the ignorant and joining the enlightened!
Now is a better time than ever!
Roger: All your "stolen items" were placed in evidence. Hmmm. A little fuzzy on the facts...
Jacob- tell us all where you will be running for office, so we don't live there.