Noting the prevalent smell of dope on city streets, Hunter College students seem to take a relaxed, liberal and positive attitude about marijuana, based on a series interviews taken last week on the school’s skywalk.
With a bustling wave of young students flowing through its halls and stairwells, CUNY Hunter College became the discovery grounds of thoughts and information on this issue. In conducting 20 random interviews, students offered a diverse range of answers on the topic of the lingering smell of weed around the city, as well as provided perspective on the possibilities of national legalization of medicinal marijuana treatment and legalized, recreational usage in the city.
Along Hunter College’s skywalk, interest, optimism and hope were voiced and expressed.
“I think marijuana is way overdue for being legalized,” said Anastazja Galczak, a white, red-haired 24-year-old student from Bay Ridge. “I also think it’s better than alcohol. To participate in a glass of wine every day, I think it would be better to stick with more organic substances.”
The City Council passed new possession laws two years ago, reducing the punishment for possession of less than 25 grams to a fine of $100. For the second offense, the fine is $250 and a summons, with possible jail time for the third.
Strong doses of the pungent, distinguishable smell of marijuana can be located in various places throughout the city, including certain parts between Grand Central and 55th St. along Park Avenue.
“I feel like from research, that it seems like a very safe, recreational drug and I feel like people should have a more neutral stance to it,” said David Moncayo, a stocky, bearded 18-year-old resident from Queens. “I feel like the stigma should go away from it, and should go towards other awful drugs like cigarettes and alcohol.”
On a medicinal scale, several students praised and supported the use of marijuana.
“If they have pure forms of marijuana for medical patients, I’m all for that,” said 18-year-old Hunter College Student Dan Golban, a native of Great Neck, Long Island.
As this marijuana revolutionary process begins, optimism and acceptance lie in the hands of several of these young Hunter College students with weed’s increased, relaxed use and the medicinal benefits it contains. And with these encouraging attitudes toward the consumption of this drug, a “greener” New York City seems right around the corner.