Cougars for Cannabis Club Stirs Debate on Campus
Club seeks to create discourse on cannabis policy, but some students say it's not appropriate for the college.
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The Cougars for Cannabis Club is among the newest clubs at St. Charles Community College.
The club’s goal is to create discourse on cannabis policy and to advocate for decriminalization and regulation of marijuana. They plan to organize voter-registration and petition drives and work with NORML, the national nonprofit working to change marijuana laws.
But the club’s very existence on campus has been the subject of debate for several months.
Administrators say free speech laws under the constitution mean the group has the right to exist as a club on campus, despite how objectionable some might find its goals.
But several students don’t think this club should have a place in St. Charles Community College.
Jon Bennett, a student at the college, and a member of the St. Charles County Republican Central Committee, says he understands what the college's legal counsel has to say about free speech. He says he'd rather not pay part of an activity fee that supports this club.
“There comes a time when they say, 'OK counselor, I understand what we’re saying, but we’re going to take control of our campus,'” he said. “I’m paying a student activity fee that’s being transferred over to a club to legalize pot. They don’t even allow alcohol on campus.”
Student Senate Denies Application
Any student can petition to form a club if they have at least eight members currently attending the school, write a constitution and find a sponsor. Clubs in good standing receive $500 each semester from Student Activities and can apply for up to $5,000 a year from the Student Activities Funds Committee. The Student Activities budget is funded through student tuition, 50 cents for each credit hour.
Duell Lauderdale organized Cougars for Cannabis and brought it before the Student Senate for consideration. After debating the issue for three meetings this spring, the Student Senate voted “by a wide margin” against approving the club, according to incoming Student Senate President Victoria Smith.
Eddie O’Neil, Student Senate secretary, said many people came to the meeting with preconceived notions about the club.
“Voting it down defeated the purpose of having a public forum,” about marijuana use, he said.
Cougars for Cannabis Club Wins Appeal
Club organizers appealed the decision to Dean of Student Development Yvette Sweeny, who made a recommendation to Chris Breitmeyer, Vice President of Acdemic and Student Affairs. Breitmeyer decided to approve the club.
In a memo to Breitmeyer, Sweeny cited advice from legal counsel, problems with the way the Student Senate parlimentarian ran the meeting and two U.S. Supreme Court cases that dealt with the First Amendment issues at the collegiate level.
Discussion is part of higher education and it's part of the culture of higher education, Sweeny said.
"No one is allowed to use cannabis on our campus," she said. "We clarified that first. Their ability to discuss and to investigate whether our federal policies are still practical and reasonable, that's just like any other law they'd be talking about whether it's our civil rights laws or our constitutional process, this fits right in with free speech."
Conservative Community
Incoming Student Senate President Victoria Smith, 41, who served as parlimentarian for Student Senate this semester, was against giving the group club status, in part because they could then access to funding from the college.
“My biggest concern is we’re situated in a considerably conservative community and we’re in the middle of a deficit,” she said. “My fear is that once the community understands what’s on our campus, support will dry up, in terms of private contributions.”
Smith, who is a returning student studying child psychology, said she sees her job as keeping kids safe.
“Why would you want to support something that’s illegal?” she said. “Where does it stop?”
Cougars for Cannabis Club Historian Sean Merkle says they won’t be doing anything illegal as a club.
“Because this is a student organization, we will do our best to ensure there is no breaking of rules,” Merkle said. “We respect the rules of this campus."
Smith will take over officially as the new president of the Student Senate on May 10. She said she’s not sure what the next steps will be. “Is there any appeal to the appeal?” she said.
In any case, the Cougars for Cannabis Club will have to abide by the rules of the Student Senate Constitution, said Smith. If the club does not there’s a process by which it could have its funding revoked, and an appeal process to get funding back.
However, those rules may be changing. The former Student Senate President Jared Streiler appointed a group of three people to consider whether the constitution should be amended over the summer.
What do you think about the college's decision?
Let us know: Should Community College Recognize Cannabis Club?
MuzzledRooster
7:39 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Freedom of speech....absolutely! Taking a stand to help bring about change to what many feel is a silly prohibition in our society....extra points, in my book. I just question the when and where. Would an 18 year old be allowed to start a club at SCCC called "Teen Mixers" that is geared toward teens who want to see the legal drinking age lowered? No one cares if "cougars" are smoking weed, but will they care that SCCC is subsidizing a group of underage drinkers?
Malcolm Kyle
8:35 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
“To function as the founders intended, our republic requires that the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”
- Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to William Stephens Smith, November 13, 1787
Fortunately we are left with one last peaceful avenue for change – Jury Nullification.
Jury Nullification is a constitutional doctrine that allows juries to acquit defendants who are technically guilty but do not deserve punishment. - All non-violent 'drug offenders' who are not selling to children - be they users, dealers or importers - clearly belong in this category.
If you sincerely believe that prohibition is a dangerous and counter-productive policy then you must stop helping to enforce it. When it comes to acquittals, you, the juror, have the very last word!
* It only takes one juror to prevent a guilty verdict.
* You are not lawfully required to disclose your voting intention before taking your seat on a jury.
* You are also not required to give a reason to the other jurors for your position when voting - just simply state you find the accused not guilty.
* Jurors must understand that it is their opinion, their vote. If the Judge and the other jurors disapprove, too bad. There is no punishment for having a dissenting opinion.
We must create what we can no longer afford to wait for - PLEASE VOTE TO ACQUIT!
Ray Antonacci
9:24 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Some of the most important breakthroughs in history stem from discussions begun on college and university campuses. Policies regarding civil rights, suffrage and war were debated everyday on campuses across the country. Besides, I don't think our government is doing such a great job on their war on drugs. Let's hear from the future leaders of our country. Give them a voice.
Senate member
11:44 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
not everyone in the senate voted against this club, nor was it only the Senate who voted. The vote took place at a clubs meeting, in which a representative from every club was allowed a vote, as well as senate members.
Marc Reichel
11:50 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
“'Why would you want to support something that’s illegal?' she said. 'Where does it stop?'” Women's Suffrage used to be illegal... Why did people want to support that? Maybe it should have stopped there, huh Vicky?
Sheryl Ryans
12:26 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The only argument that anyone could have against this club is the point made by student John Bennett. It is true that student activities money goes to this club, but what most people fail to note is that money from students go to ALL clubs on campus, ranging from the new fencing club (less dangerous than Marijuana) to the SCC Young Democrats & Republicans. It even goes to SCC Straights and Gays for Equality, who support the legalization of Gay Marriage. Gay marriage is illegal just like Marijuana, but it gets to become a club?
In addition, former totalitarian "Senate Parliamentarian" Victoria Smith is a flat out joke. The overturning of Senate's (not landslide) decision by the administration also came from "problems with the way the Student Senate parliamentarian Smith ran the meeting". Parliamentarians are supposed to be neutral in a deliberation, not driving it in a direction specific to her agenda. I'm sure the Senate members would LOVE to know how she has manipulated everyone she has come into contact with throughout this entire process, with the bonus effect of having the Senate wrapped around her finger just in time for the election. Victoria has even gone so far as to represent Senate at state conventions by bragging to higher ups that "her Senate" has proudly defeated the SCC Cougars for Cannabis, despite the fact that all clubs on campus get to vote as well.
I hope that this club continues to laugh in the face of poor logic and bigotry.
dwl9t2
2:41 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wow, thanks for the heads up on the Parliamentarians comments at the State convention. That is all the more laughable. The members of SCC Students for Sensible Drug Policy have felt no more hostility and anti-intellectualism from any one single individual during the entire process than the new President Smith, who you correctly labled as a totalitarian. In total, she lied and made mistatements about our organization so many times that I could not even count or take the time to list them reasonably. The greatest part of all is that she has done so in the name of a "moral" highground, which is even more hilarious because if SCC SSDP were more pompous, we might attempt to make the same "moral" claims about our side of the argument considering the grave implications of the drug war. Thank you for you strongly considered words of encouragement, and believe me, our organization has and will continue to laugh in the face of bigotry and poor logic. Kind Regards!
Devon Seddon
12:55 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
NORML's goal will never be achieved because both sides miss the point.
NORML isn't interested in making paper, clothes, rope, or any of the thousands of other innexpensive uses for Cannabis.
Those who want to keep it illegal think that it got that way because of what happens when it's smoked. They've gone to battle, but missed the battlefield.
The reason Cannabis will never be legal again has nothing to do with smoking it, it has to do with money. Those who farm cotton, make rope, cut trees for paper, etc will never allow something cheaper & easier, that takes only 3 months to replenish itself, back on the market. It's just won't happen.
In addition, the previously mentioned ignorance of the issues is evident when Smith suggests that people shouldn't support this because it's illegal, as if our politicians & their laws ever make sense. In the previous paragraph she actually reveals the REAL reason... MONEY.
She's concerned about money. The same concern that created this whole issue, is again in the way, as the only thing people, including the BUSINESS of education, care about.
Has this gotten to be an annoyingly predictable connundrum to anyone else?
How much more money would be available if money wasn't always in the way? Nikola Tesla discovered FREE energy in the 1920's
We've not seen a single cure in 60+ years
Cannibus provides cheaper alternatives.
It's shameful, but this is what people continue to stand in the way of.
All because of ignorance & money.
Good Shepherd
1:27 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Anyone want to start a satanic worship club? 100% serious.
Alec Kelley
4:21 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
I really don't care all that much about the legalization (or decriminalization) of marijuana. It's simply not an issue that I feel is too terribly important to me However, the fact that people are up in arms about this issue and are trying to block it from public discourse is nothing short of immature and bad for SCC's reputation. If you want students to think of SCC as something more than high school 2.0 than Student Senate should grow up and behave like adults rather than children.
You cannot block something just because you don't like it and still call yourselves representatives of the student body. Shame on SCC Student Senate leaders for handling this issue so poorly. I am embarrassed that I did not make it clear during my tenure as SCC Student Senate President that so long as the students do not discriminate or harm anyone they ought to be able to organize regardless of the issue.
Debate in the public sphere is something that I love and believe to be necessary for democracy, even at small venues such as SCC. If there is an issue that someone in any position of power does not like, than they should not keep it away from the public, but speak out against it in public.
T. Hopkins
8:39 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Just saw the President of the SCC Student Senate speak on Channel 4. Obviously this guy clearly does not understand the meaning of the first ammendment rights. Nowhere in the text of our rights does it say, 'if in your opionion, it may look bad for your IMAGE, you are not protected!' GET A CLUE! I would be more concerned that a supposed insitituion of higher learning is chosing which clubs a re approved or not approved based on your stupid beliefs!
Glad he is not representing me. You cannot deny freedom of speech based on image. Get a clue! What if I do not like your christian club or fencing or zombie club - how are those clubs improving the image of SCC? Also heard via grapevine the senate chose to go against the advise of their advisors and administration. IDIOTS!
And for those of you, who say---oh, now what? Are you going to approve a child pornography club? Read up on your history. There are indeed limits to 1st ammendment rights - the Supreme Court is very clear on criteria that does not guarantee your first ammendment rights. And guess what SCC Student Senate - and the discussion of a controverisal topic is NOT one of them.
Senate member
11:17 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
You can say they chose to go against their advisors and the administration, but you don't know how each member voted, so the people getting that advice, may have voted to let them in as a club. I am also disgusted by the fact that you chose to call the senate idiots, Each club was able to vote at that meeting, senate only got like 9 votes that day, and I do not believe that was a majority. So don't go bashing senate when it was only one of several clubs that had a hand in voting that day.
Drw
2:03 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Interesting! The Club has a great approach and brought up an interesting concept. Anyone want legal advice on the medical marijuana industry? Protect yourself from prosecution!
Tweet us!!! @prop215atty
@drwelchlaw
LIKE us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/drwelchlaw
Joe Wetter
4:54 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
My name is Joe Wetter and I am a candidate for the Saint Charles County Republican Central Committee. I am an advocate of individual liberty and I believe in the full legalization of marijuana.
Also, I happen to be running against Jon Bennett.
If you would like to check out what I am all about, you can visit my Facebook page by clicking this link below.
http://m.facebook.com/search/?query=Duelle%20lauderdalee&__user=675048986#!/JoeWetterFor1stCapitalTownshipCommitteeman?__user=675048986
Thank you!
senate member
8:34 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Senate member
For all those who care to be upset about the decision of SCC Senate, everyone has the opportunity to become a member of Senate as a voting Senator and be part of the process. If you don't get involved you really have no right to complain about how things are voted on, period. This goes for SCC campus as well as any other aspect of any political process. Two consecutive meetings and voted in, take this as an invitation to join. FYI, each person got one vote so the blame cannot only go on Victoria or any other single individual.
Kelley Pfeiffer
12:02 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012
Hi Kalen, Just to clarify, when we spoke the other day, you indicated that you had the correct, full name of the club. I didn't see it listed in the article, so I thought I'd post it so you have it. It's "SCC Students for Sensible Drug Policy." Thanks!