The Cougars for Cannabis Club at St. Charles Community College has sparked some discussion about free speech issues and whether such a club has a place on campus.
Read our story: Cougars for Cannabis Club Stirs Debate on Campus
The club's goal is to start discussion on U.S. cannabis policy.
Some people have said the club should not be approved by the college and should not be able to receive funding because cannabis is illegal. A majority of members of the Student Senate voted against allowing the club to form and receive money.
However, administrators overturned the Senate's decision, citing Supreme Court Decisions that found that groups should be able to receive college funding despite having an unpopular view.
"Free speech is something that in our country is absolutely one of our fundamental opportunities and our rights," said Yvette Sweeny, Dean of Student Services.
What do you think?
beth r.
9:15 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
this is crazy ! really - they want to discuss what is right now illegal activity ? if and when it is legalized, then we have a topic to discuss.
not at all appropriate to discuss illegal activity on a college campus- i am very disappointed, and would really consider my children's choice in continuing ed , if this is allowed and accepted.
Modern Thinker and Humorist
2:17 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
It's not like a college campus is an elementary school. If the college campus were not made up of adults then maybe talking civilly about a subject should not be allowed. However remember, Beth that any right that has been made for the American people were at one time illegal. Civil Rights, Woman Sufferage, and even our Nation's Independence would not have happened if we did not discuss these things before they became legal.
Furthermore you are ignoring the right to free speech. And if a person's free speech were taken away then there would be no assurance that your free speech, your child's free speech, or you neighbor's free speech were to be kept. They could all be taken away.
byron
10:01 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
as long as people are being arrested for smoking weed, people need to have the right to gather peacably to discuss the issue; besides, college students are right in the pocket of the weed-smoking demographic, it's their issue, largely
let's not turn into China -- freedom to discuss political issues has always been a part of the modern college experience in the US
Vanessa Bell-LaSota
10:08 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
...what community college do we have in St Charles, please??????
I have lived hee for 30 years.....where would that be?
Kalen Ponche
10:18 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
St. Charles Community College is located off of Mid Rivers Mall Drive.
JKK
10:15 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
This absolutely ridiculus! A tax payer funded institution allowing a club for illegal activity...DUH! Stop the nonsense or return my tax dollars......and I will reconsider my children attending such an institution!
Open minded taxpayer
9:04 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
I don't believe anyone said there would be illegal activity and I don't believe the college condones illegal activity. This is not about meeting and smoking pot. I believe a group of students feel they have the right to openly discuss an issue that they feel very strongly about. As a taxpayer I am happy that there are individuals at this college with open minds. It's obviously a subject that many people feel strongly about. They have already spurred some interesting discussion. When was the last time that happened? Instead of silencing this club, use this opportunity to have an open discussion with your family and children and ask them their feelings and thoughts.
History Prof
10:58 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
At one point women voting was illegal. So all the women who discissed and advocted for women's suffrage should have been silenced? Crazy! To say we can't even discuss something illegal is preposterous. That is what freedom of speech is.
dwl9t2
12:21 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Alcohol might still land you in jail for simple possession if individuals were not allowed to speak against prohibition! The individuals against this club are quite simply pro-censorship and also believe they know better than everyone else what is right for them. Groups must be allowed to peacefully and responsibly assemble are make their voice heard in order for democracy to succeed and flourish.
Kanna Taylor
1:01 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Hey Kalen, there are three spelling errors in the quote from Yvette Sweeney, FYI. Absoluately, funamental and opportunitiess are all spelled wrong.
Kalen Ponche
1:29 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Thanks Kanna
Adam Farrar
10:09 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
So You Believe That An Illegal Market Is Safer For Your Kids Than A Regulated One? If You Are A REAL Conservative, Than You Would Not Want Millions Of Taxpayer Dollars Being Spent Locking Up American Citizens In PRIVATE-for profit- PRISONS For Non-Violent Drug "Crimes". The Only "crime" Is Our Governments Laws Allowing Drug Cartels To Flourish In An Unregulated Market. Your Government Does Not Care About Your Children, They Care About Keeping An Illegal Market So They Can Have Laws That Arrest YOU For Just Possessing Drugs. The War On Drugs Is the Most Important Issue Of Our Time, Legalize It All.
No Thanks
2:46 am on Sunday, May 20, 2012
What is next, a NAMBLA chapter on campus? It is not illegal to be stupid, but this is outrageous.