Readers React to College's Student Cannabis Club

Wednesday's story that featured one St. Charles Community College's newest student clubs, the Cougars for Cannabis Club, sparked a lengthy debate on if student fees should be used for a club that seeks to legalize the use of marijuana. 

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. For more on this story, .

Almost as soon as the story was posted on Wednesday, St. Charles Patch readers began to chime in with their opinions. 

"Freedom of speech....absolutely," said , a Patch reader. "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?"

"Some of the most important breakthroughs in history stem from discussions begun on college and university campuses," said , another reader. "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."

But not all agreed with the group's intent. 

This absolutely ridiculus,"  said. "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!"

What do you think? Is the cannabis club protected under First Ammendment rights? Do you think student fees should go to support groups like this? Weigh in now with a comment below.