The Seminole Scribe

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The Seminole Scribe Seminole State College of Florida

Issue No. 6

December 6, 2012

NASA Welcomes Seminole State Students to Celebrate Is Marijuana in Florida’s Future?

By Ashley Vazquez and Ambar Wessin

The dream of having all-access media passes to Kennedy Space Center recently came true for a group of Seminole State students on Nov. 2 when the Seminole State College of Florida Film Club joined two reporters from The Seminole Scribe newspaper, along with members of the international press, to celebrate the homecoming of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Despite waking up at 2 a.m. on a cold, windy morning for the long drive to Cape Canaveral, Tracy Chisley, activities director of the Film Club, said he was thrilled to cover the ceremony and hopeful for more access to similiar events in the future. “I was like a kid in a candy store,” Mr. Chisley said, “in regard to how I felt being around the international press and other various media.” Included in the all-access passes was the chance for

reporters and filmmakers to talk one-on-one with the astronauts who flew in space. The event provided Seminole State students the unique experience of working alongside the international media and capturing photos and video footage. “Having a chance to see the Shuttle up close and personal was just simply amazing,” Mr. Chisley said. “I knew all of my fellow classmates attending would get caught up in the excitement of the moment, but

also, we realized that if we work hard that we could experience many more moments similar to Atlantis’ homecoming in our career in news, TV or film.”

By Austin Rogers

Going to Kennedy Space Center and representing the Seminole State Film Club was also a change for Matthew Jezak, President of the Film Club.

With Colorado and Washington both legalizing the recreational use of weed, would it be in Florida’s best interest to follow in their footsteps? “Florida should absolutely legalize pot,” said a local student dealer who did not want to be named. “People are going to keep growing, dealing and selling, legal or not, so why not just make it legal?”

“Lately, we’ve had some members that have been really active and, as a result of their active membership, it has

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His income from dealing, he said, is normally between $100 and $200 a night so, if he makes about $700 to $1,400 a week, by the end of the year, he will have made between $36,000 and $54,000. If Florida were to legalize marijuana, the dealer said, people would go to the bank and apply for a small business loan like a lot of dealers in Colorado and Washington. By doing this, his income from selling weed would be taxed by the government, so not only would he be making money, but the government would also benefit. It’s a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Photo by Matthew Jezak

Another student dealer agreed. “Legalizing marijuana and marijuana products is going to happen sooner or later because everybody loves weed,” the dealer said. “It doesn’t hurt anybody. You can’t overdose on it and, unlike alcohol, which kills so many people, there have been no reported deaths from marijuana.”

Space Shuttle Atlantis embarks on it’s final journey to the Vistor’s Complex at Kennedy Space Center/Matthew Jezak

Going buy the book: As textbook cost increase, so do students’ options By Kyle Yeoman In a few weeks, students will have the option to return books they no longer need or want for cash at the bookstore. The buyback is open year-round but most students return books for quick cash near the beginning and end of the semester. Sean McGauvarin, Seminole State College student and employee at the bookstore, said the amount of cash depends on a few things. “It depends on the supply of certain books,” he said. “If a book is overstocked or an older model, then you would probably receive little to no money cash back.” A newer option for students needing to save money is renting books, which some said

is less costly. The only catch when renting books is returning them by a certain due date, usually after a semester is over. “Renting books would be a better way instead of buying them and selling them back,” Mr. McGauvarin said. “However, buyback would depend on the condition of the book, and whether it’s refundable.” Seminole State College student Kenneth Edmund said he likes the buyback policy. “I think that the buyback is very important,” Mr. Edmund said. “The downside is you’re not always reimbursed as much as the book is worth. I think that the bookstore should offer more money for returned books.” However, renting books could be a better investment, Mr. Edmund said.

“With renting, you can return your books when the date is due,” he said. “When you try to sell your books back then there’s always a chance you may not receive money back due to them being overstocked or if there’s a new book in stock.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are 24,518 deaths from alcohol poisoning and 0 from marijuana. Legalizing marijuana also makes for good business. “I believe marijuana should not only be decriminalized but legalized on a federal level,” George Bernard, professor of business at Seminole State, said. “By legalizing this, you will not only see the economy get better but you get rid of the need to throw people in prison for getting high.”

Priscilla Amalbert, another Seminole State College student, said that she likes the buyback policy as well. “I’ve only done buyback once and I received a fair price for one of my books,” she said. “I think that students should receive more than half of what a book is worth. Still it depends on what kind of condition a book is in.” Donna Collins, Seminole State College bookstore manager, said that buyback is good for students but “iffy” for the bookstore.

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Photos by Danielle Wiebe

Professor Bernard also said that it’s inevitable that weed will be legal because the market won’t go away. “There is absolutely no reason why possession is a federal crime,” he said. “By criminalizing weed the government is only hurting themselves and business.”


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