The Rebel Yell: Article: Directors tackle marijuana issue

The'>http://www.unlvrebelyell.com/article.php?ID=9849">The Rebel Yell: Article: Directors tackle marijuana issue

Debate on Regulating Marijuana in Nevada

Last night's debate on Question 7, the question to regulate marijuana manufacturing and sales in Nevada, proved once again that the average person doesn't understand what a debate is supposed to be.

A good debate vets out the tenets of each position for or against an issue or question. This type of discourse is essential in our democratic process. However, both speakers used histrionics and loosely linked studies to support their positions. But what's worse, is that the predominately student audience asked some of the stupidest questions.

The best of the worst was the dogmatically insistent student who was curious why Sandy Heverly, representing the opposition to marijuana regulation, was not supporting a ban of caffeine because it is also known to be addictive. Heverly did not understand the question, but I did! I understood that question as stupid and off topic. Despite the idiocy of the question, the student wanted to make it clear that Heverly could not answer her question... Which was funny, because the student was certain that she had come up with a zinger! I am sure if a rash of deaths occurred from caffeine overdose, I am sure we would start considering its regulation. Beyond that, marijuana is not nearly as addictive as caffeine if at all.

During the debate the girl sitting behind me could stop shifting in her seat and exasperating. At one point she stormed out of the room, but returned later for more thrashing. Poor thing, getting so upset over what other people are saying, and frustrated with the inability to articulate a good question or comment.

Neal Levine, of the Committee to Regulate and Control Marijuana, funded almost entirely by the Washington, D.C., based Marijuana Policy Project, played off the advantage he had that most of the audience were supporters who would clap and laugh at his quips. Nothing like a laughable quip to make a debate really informative.

Had Haverly been able to suspend her anti-alcohol obsession which, she has been feeding as a MADD mother for years, for the debate and made an actual analysis of the issues, her presentation may have been compelling. Instead, she resorted to tearful story telling and conjectural reference to the 'carnage' of drunk driving. This is fine, but she made no effort to draw a good link between drinking, driving, and marijuana.

Its not the substance that is the problem, its the people who use it and how they use it.

Neither side satisfied my curiosity on this question. What I wanted from the debate was a real discourse on real issues instead of histrionics and quips. I suppose I demand to much from a disinterested electorate. Also I would like these questions answered:

1.) Is marijuana more, less, or equally impairing as alcohol?
2.) If the effect of marijuana is less or equal to alcohol, why would the sanctions under the question be greater than that of alcohol?
3.) Does the Nevada Resort Association support this initiative?
4.) Why has the Marijuana Policy Project chosen Nevada to advance this initiative?

But this issue certainly serves as a good way to get the youth vote out, just like banning gay marriage got the conservatives out to vote. Both sides supported voting, and I totally agree, I hope that more people vote to dilute the effect of idiots voting.

Kansas Songs

Carry on Wayward Son ------Kansas (Kerry Livgren)

CHORUS
Carry on my wayward son,There'll be peace when you are doneLay your weary head to restDon't you cry no moreOnce I rose above the noise and confusionJust to get a glimpse beyond this illusionI was soaring ever higher, but I flew too highThough my eyes could see I still was a blind manThough my mind could think I still was a mad manI hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say
CHORUS
Masquerading as a man with a reasonMy charade is the event of the seasonAnd if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't knowOn a stormy sea of moving emotionTossed about I'm like a ship on the oceanI set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say
CHORUS
Carry on, you will always rememberCarry on, nothing equals the splendorNow your life's no longer emptySurely heaven waits for you
CHORUS

Dust In The Wind ------Kansas

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams, pass before my eyes, IN curiosity
Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind
Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy
Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind, Everything is dust in the wind