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."