The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Opinions

Perceptions of pot

Today, we're reminded the culture of marijuana is changing drastically.

Today, pot smokers celebrate their unofficial holiday by blazing up. Lately, though, it is not only the stoner crowd who are advocating the legalization of marijuana.

Given the current economic situation, several political officials have put forth new bills that would authorize and tax the recreational use of marijuana. There is a bill in the works in California that, if passed, could generate $1.3 billion a year. Aside from simply taxing the drug, there is another way to save money by decriminalizing it.

According to the Associated Press, America spends $68 billion per year on corrections, and one-third of those being corrected are serving time for nonviolent drug crimes. We spend about $150 billion on policing and courts, and 47.5 percent of all drug arrests are marijuana-related.

Although each member of the editorial board has his or her own view of legalization, we were reluctant to take a public stand because of the negative stigma associated with marijuana.

Fortunately, the implications of smoking pot or supporting its legalization are changing. It is no longer reserved for teenagers in vans at Grateful Dead concerts. The "Dazed and Confused" youths of the '70s are now middle-aged, and not all of them have given up their old habits. Statistics have shown that 24.3 percent of adults between the ages of 26 and 34 have smoked at least once in the past year, 21.7 percent of people ages 35 to 49 did so as well.

So while that stoner who sits behind you in class will probably skip today, so might your professor.

- Megan Otto for the editorial board

A perfect 10

Congrats to Suzanne Yoculan, who now retires with 10 national championships.

"We will defend what is ours."

The Gym Dogs walked into warmups in Lincoln, Neb., Friday sporting T-shirts with the phrase, and of course, they did so. Nothing but a win would have befitted head coach Suzanne Yoculan, whose Gym Dogs claimed their 10th national championship this past weekend.

The weekend was the proverbial icing on the cake for Yoculan, who is considered to be college gymnastics' architect. She's now the winningest coach in the sport.

To Yoculan, thanks for your unmatched 26 years in Athens. This season and win should earn a spot in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

And to the Gym Dogs, congratulations on yet another national championship. You have represented the Bulldog Nation with excellence.

Good luck to associate head coach Jay Clark, who has some big shoes to fill as he takes Yoculan's place next year. We have no doubt the program will continue to flourish.

Happy retirement, Suzanne.

- Shannon Otto for the editorial board

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