CAN LEGALIZING POT IMPROVE CENTRAL VALLEY'S ECONOMY?

"Your God given right to vote, to toke." While such sentiments are
hardly foreign in university campuses and collegiate discourse, they
were probably the last words I expected to see on this particular
picket sign.

And yet there they were, plastered in large, block letters and being
toted around Merced College by an unlikely candidate.

A nun had come to visit Merced College, but the gospel she preached
contained a different message. Wielding a sign advocating the
legalization of marijuana, she was set to make disciples, or at the
very least encourage students to register to vote.

Although Kate van Dijk is not really a nun (which her sign is quick to
point out), the self-proclaimed marijuana enthusiast is nevertheless
on a mission, whether it be from God or not. And she bears her cross
proudly. "I'm encouraging everyone who isn't registered to vote to do
so because there will be an important proposition on the ballot next
November."

Fully equipped with voter registration forms and a slew of spitfire
facts and statistics, van Dijk is one of many in California who are
passionate about seeing the prohibition on marijuana lifted.
Relentlessly citing government-issued statistics and records, even
quoting Thomas Jefferson, van Dijk is eager to put forth the arguments
for her cause.

She details the criminalization of marijuana as a historical process
steeped in product monopolization, political and pharmaceutical greed,
racism and unabashed indoctrination from government-funded
institutions and school systems.

Furthermore, according to van Dijk, hundreds of millions of dollars
are being taken out of the Central Valley by buyers and sellers alike
who go to more weed-friendly cities like Sacramento, San Francisco and
Los Angeles. These cities have approved dispensaries where those
carrying medical marijuana cards can purchase the drug freely and legally.

Van Dijk sees these dispensaries as the first step toward outright
legalization of marijuana. But it is not enough. "Money that can be
spent on colleges and the public school system is being carried out of
the Valley because of unnecessary prohibition on marijuana. We need to
save the Valley and devote more money to our schools and our kids."

Van Dijk firmly believes that spreading understanding on this issue is
key to successfully legalizing marijuana. It is this confidence that
finds her going to great lengths, even dressing as a nun and
meandering around the local community college, to get her message out
there.

But what do Merced College students think of the issue?

Many students give their enthusiastic support to the legalization of
marijuana. Most of these students projected that taxing marijuana will
bring lots of money that is already floating around California into
the state's hands to be redirected toward financially weakened areas
such as school systems and jobs.

Others point to the inconsistency of the legalization of alcohol but
not marijuana, arguing that it is less harmful to society and one's
health than alcohol and that similar restrictions can be placed on
marijuana to limit any negative consequences.

One instructor at Merced College summed up what seemed to be the main
arguments by stating three points in favor of legalization:

"It would help save our economy, it would give validity to a substance
that has been unfairly demonized, and it would reinforce our freedom
of choice, which is an act of civil liberty inherent in the
Constitution."

Some students, however, are not so supportive, arguing that marijuana
use increases complacency in society and encourages lazy,
irresponsible behavior. These students maintain that ends do not
always justify means, stating that something is heavily prevalent or
economically profitable does not warrant its acceptance. Such passive
and pragmatic arguments are bad criteria for determining what is right
and lawful.

In the midst of these contending views and opposing beliefs is our
sign-touting nun, wandering around Merced College and desperate to
make a difference. And while her arguments are well documented and
purported by countless books, Web sites and government officials (most
notably Republican Rep. Ron Paul), she speaks them with a fiery
conviction and excitement that makes you think she is onto something
new and revolutionary. And she invites you to come along.

Ultimately, the issue of legalizing marijuana will be settled in
courtrooms and voting booths. Van Dijk and her colleagues anticipate
it being on the ballot in November and are very optimistic about the
results.

As singer John Mayer croons, "Who says I can't get
stoned?"

The government does. At least for now.

Jon Benton is a student at Merced College.