CSUS STUDENTS BACK POT MEASURE

TURLOCK - Toking for tuition? Bongs for books?

Go ahead and laugh, but student government leaders at California State
University, Stanislaus, weren't blowing smoke Tuesday night when they
voted to back the idea of legalizing marijuana to save higher education.

They passed a resolution supporting a San Francisco assemblyman's
proposal to tax and regulate the recreational use of marijuana, with
the hope of reaping revenue from what many call California's largest
cash crop.

Student body President Andrew Janz told the student senators that less
money spent enforcing minor drug crimes could mean more money for
state universities struggling with deep budget cuts this year.

"I know part of it has to do with a touchy subject that a lot of you
are morally opposed to," Janz said.

California's budget crisis has hit the Turlock campus with cuts of
$5.3 million to its $92 million budget, and leaders are searching for
$500,000 more to trim by June. They expect to slash an additional $6
million next year.

Much like the sales of beer, wine and hard liquor, Assemblyman Tom
Ammiano's measure, Assembly Bill 390, would bar taxed sales of
marijuana to anyone under 21.

Dave Colnic, a CSUS political science professor, said removing the
threat of jail time will expose marijuana use to the light, rather
than keep it hidden in back-alley deals.

Some worried that taking pot off the black market would cause more
drug dependency problems and encourage teens to use the drug.

"I still just struggle with this," said Jenna Kasch, who abstained
from the vote. "I totally am 'to each their own,' but I am a big
proponent of the scare tactics ... . It is illegal. Do not do it."

Six student senators voted for the resolution, one voted no, and two
abstained.