Jesse L.

Kirkland II
Professor Thomas
UWRT 1102 - Writing and Inquiry Academics in Context II
March 25, 2018
First Annotated Biography

Pyke, A., “Marijuana’s $2.4 billion impact in Colorado is a lesson for 5 states considering

legalization.” ThinkProgress.org, October 28, 2016, WordPress.com VIP,

www.thinkprogress.org/5-states-weighing-marijuana-legalization-would-reap-enormous-

economic-benefits-study-suggests-cb06831d154b/ , Accessed February 8, 2018.

The first annotated biography comes from a blog/article written by Alan Pyke, who is a

reporter for the ThinkProgress.org who covers the areas of crime, police, drugs, housing and

political rhetoric. He is also the Deputy Economic Policy Editor for ThinkProgress.org, before

coming to this position he was a blogger and researcher focus being on economic policy and

political advertising for Media Matters for America. Also, being an organizer with several

different political campaigns all over the East coast. The following being founded and verified at

the following website, https://www.nationofchange.org/author/alan-pyke/. So, I would definitely

say that not only is the website credible but the writer is as well.

What initially drew me to the article in question was the subject matter being immensely

related to what I wanted my thesis to reflect. To ponder the question and to get my audience

thinking that with the changes our economy (or society) is facing, what will we do or what are

we prepared to do to counter act them. After thinking about the many strong points illustrated in

the article, I researched the writer to make sure they were not of malicious intent or spreading

false messages to the audience. Once I could consider the source to be credible, I started to digest

the material which left me with multiple questions that I hope my writing leaves with my

audience.
 The initial question that followed the title to me was why just a model for five states to

follow, why not the remaining forty-five? If so many can find relief medically and recreationally,

and we can ease the burden financially why aren’t we trying to spread this out there? It becomes

much more of a question for my audience, then it does a question for the United States of

America. Pressing forward with advancement does mean adversity will follow, self-driving cars

has suffered it’s first fatality and suspended autonomous operation in five states. To date

marijuana has claimed zero fatalities.

A few bullet points that I believe to be more than interesting are the following; legal

cannabis created 18,005 full-time jobs and added about $2.4 billion to the state’s economy last

year, an analysis from the Marijuana Policy Group (MPG) shows; A fifteen percent special

excise tax on marijuana sales in Arizona’s legalization proposal would likely generate over $114

million in new tax revenue in 2019 and 2020, according to state fiscal analysts; Aside from the

new job creation and economic activity, the state’s K-12 system would get an $86 million cash

infusion over two years from legalization, according to the state fiscal analysis. Simply speaking

what this would do for our economy would be remarkable, if you believe what the information

outlines.
Second Annotated Bibliography

Kamenetz, A., “Clinton’s Free-Tuition Promise: What Would It Cost? How Would It Work?”

NPR.org, July 28, 2016, NPRed, www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/07/28/487794394/hillary-s-free-

tuition-promise-what-would-it-cost-how-would-it-work , Accessed February 8, 2018.

The second annotated biography comes from a blog/article written by Anya Kamenetz,

whom is NPRs lead education blogger. She is not only a blogger, but an author for several books

on education and a staff writer for Fast Company magazine. Not only has she written as a

distinguished writer in her own right but she’s contributed towards several other bodies of work

to include but not limited to New York Times, The Washington Post, O the Oprah Magazine,

and appeared in several documentaries on PBS and CNN. The following being founded and

verified at the following website, https://www.npr.org/people/302894536/anya-kamenetz.

 So many of our politicians have amazing proposals, follow through not so much. So, a lot

of the time we are lured in by the promise of a better life (whether it be healthcare, education,

less taxes or etc.). The following article drew me beyond it’s title by going into detail about the

proposal by seeing what it’s going to take to make these dreams a reality. How do we get to what

everybody wants, what’s the path least desired that we must go through to reach this result?

Well the cost becomes quite costly with the numbers showing anything but a

conservative figure. In the writing it states, “Tuition has risen 40 percent in the last ten years at

four-year public colleges and universities, as Hillary Clinton campaign notes.” While the

Saunders’ campaign had previously estimated the cost of free college for all at 75 billion dollars

while proposing a tax on Wall Street transactions to pay for it. While the notes are very well

illustrated on both ends by both individuals their appears to be a better alternative then to avoid

signing a blank check that just rises every year. Maybe to a point that can be made outside of

both ends, if there was a means of increasing revenue within the state that could accomplish the

same goal with half the cost, in comes my argument.

While I can understand the need of both arguments, one senator arguing for free two-year

college and the other arguing for free four-year college. The debate then comes down to what we

need as an economy and I believe we need those with two-year degrees as we also need those

with four-year degrees. I could agree with starting with two-year degrees initially and maybe

acclimating to the four-year degree plan. But a start would be remarkable and I think this is what

truly starts the conversation.

Third Annotated Bibliography

Robinson, M., “4 states legalized recreational weed this week-here’s how they’ll spend the extra

tax money.” Business Insider, November 12, 2016, Business Insider,

www.businessinsider.com/recreational-marijuana-tax-revenue-allocation-2016-

11/#massachusetts-plans-to-bolster-services-offered-by-the-states-3 , Accessed February 8, 2018.

The third annotated biography comes from a blog/article written by Melia Robinson, who

is a senior reporter. Whose work has been featured on Slate, SF Gate, Yahoo, Huffington Post

and O, The Oprah Magazine. She appears to be a credible writer and her background is a

reflection of the work she produces. She appears to work on passion projects, start-ups and

design to Silicon Valley culture and the legal marijuana marketplace. The following being
founded and verified at the following website, http://www.businessinsider.com/author/melia-

robinson.

The title of the article couldn’t be more appropriately titled for me and the use that I

needed for it. Not coming from the perspective as an advocate but for arguments sake, good can

come from taxation of this. As it did when the nation went through the “Great Depression”

where they went through something similar with the Prohibition and taxation of alcohol. This

completely unrelated to the article saved the economy when it was in need of a boost of some

sort.

As noted in the article, “Over 63 million Americans now live in states where it’s legal to

consume recreational marijuana”. Currently, there are 325.7 million Americans in the United

States of America, how much more can be attained by a worldwide wave of taxation through all

of the fifty states and US territories? In the writing it states, “The money generated from

California Proposition 64 gets deposited into a newly created tax fund in the state treasury.”

From here it goes to local college/university for research on legalization, state highway patrol for

preventative and detection measures, medical marijuana research and control and prevention,

education and treatment measures starting at 25 million out of a projected gross of 1 billion

dollars in the first year.

The article then goes into the plans for the other four states that have recently passed

marijuana legislation with their plans for tax funding. Different states ranging in tax 3.75 percent

to 10 percent to 15 percent. It appears that every program will contribute to a use and control or

some form of education but Nevada appears to be the only state funneling all of their profits into

education. Which allows one to ponder if a state like Nevada could do it, couldn’t they all?
 Fourth Annotated Bibliography

Kazmi, S. H. (2015). HIGHER EDUCATION COST IS PROHIBITIVELY HIGHER. Pakistan

& Gulf Economist, 34(14), 11-12. Retrieved from

https://librarylink.uncc.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-

com.librarylink.uncc.edu/docview/1677223715?accountid=14605. Accessed March 15, 2019.

The fourth annotated biography comes from a blog/article written by Shabbir H. Kazmi, a

writer for the Financial Daily, as head of special projects. This writer has been performing

journal entries and the like for a quarter of a century. With an extensive level of expertise and

such an expansive degree of experience I find the following individual certified to not only be

credible but to be qualified to discuss the material in the manner he does. This being said I credit

this material certifiable and credential it as being very accurate. The following being founded

and verified at the following website, http://www.journalismpakistan.com/profile-

detail.php?profileid=OTI3.

First of all this writing appears to be based on Pakistan and Middle East countries,

however I felt that there was verbiage in the passage that would be similar and relate to the very
struggles I am trying to portray for US students. Like in the Pakistan district, when it comes to

education we are separated 1) by the general population, 2) for higher income groups and 3) for

the elites. Which very significantly range in cost. When it comes to education I do believe we all

fall into one of these three categories. I'm not yet sure that there is a direct correlation between

where you start and where you finish and if the benefit of which really proves to be

advantageous. However, I think that if the playing field was leveled by way of education more of

a determination would be able to be found.

A lot can also be said for students learning in a multitude of different learning

environments if that sets them up for success in a field of higher education. We learn that

throughout the course, altering between different formats of learning are eyes can really be

opened to a wider range of experiences. Which continues to open up the individual to a broader

array of circumstances. Greatly raising the level at which learning takes place.
 Fifth Annotated Bibliography

Peck, G. (2013), “For Marijuana Legalization, Lessons from Prohibition.” The New York

Times, May 22, 2013, The New York Times Company,

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/05/22/how-can-marijuana-be-sold-safely/for-

marijuana-legalization-lessons-from-prohibition . Accessed March 25, 2018.

The fifth annotated biography comes from a blog/article written by Garrett Peck, is not

only an author, but a historian and a self-proclaimed tour guide. Educated by way of Virginia

Military Institute and George Washington University, whom resides in Arlington, Virginia.

Besides serving on certain boards, he has also been featured in documentaries and is well known

for his lectures in public office. An active writer with a seventh novel being released this fall, I

do also find this writer to be credible and reputable. The following being founded and verified at

the following website, http://garrettpeck.com/ .

There is a strong debate in the writing of comparison and contrast of an opinion piece yet

laced with facts. It begins discussing Prohibition and how it was really just deregulation and how

that is the opposite of what is needed. What is needed and I agree with the opinion is regulation

and tax. We don’t need reckless abandon, willful neglect we require structure. We should know

what we ingest or partake into our bodies and having the freedom to do so should come at a cost

(or tax). At least for the betterment of society, or economic well-being.

As we were in desperate need of tax revenue during the Great Depression we are in a

similar need now. Several people would disagree based on the severity of the requirement,

however maybe for once the nation could look at things from a preventative measure rather than

a repairable. You would think that the greater minds (economists, politicians or etc.) of our time
would have contributed these sorts of ideas to trying to get us out of our ever-growing debt.

However, our deficit continues to grow and our bodies continue to be covered into a mess we

will not soon get out of.

Sixth Annotated Bibliography

Robert B. Archibald & David H. Feldman (2010) Why Do Higher-Education Costs Rise

More Rapidly Than Prices in General?, Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, 40:3, 25-

31, DOI: 10.3200/CHNG.40.3.25-31. Accessed by March 1, 2018.

The sixth annotated biography comes from a blog/article written by Robert B. Archibald

and David H. Feldman, whom are both William and Mary professors. Whom have been on the

faculty for a long period of time Robert B. Archibald of which has served for over 40 years. In

actuality, just retiring from his long-standing position just last year. See more information on the

website referenced in the following: https://www.wm.edu/as/economics/news/robert-archibald-

retires.php . As respected as both of these gentlemen appear to be, as many lives as they appear

to have impacted. I would have to give them credibility based of the opinion of Public Trust.

Both having been in the career field of Economics as undergraduate majors and

subsequent professors, I think they earned the right to be considered credible. More information

on David H. Feldman is as follows: https://www.wm.edu/as/economics/faculty-

directory/feldman_d.php . The more you read, the more you will find MAs and PHDs to follow

their scholastic achievements are exceedingly exceptional. In amid, their typical degree of

coursework and shaping and molding the future minds of our tomorrow they had time to write

this journal entry. Amongst other books they would go onto pen.

The key points that I would like to hone in on are: the title for instance why are one of the

higher of the expenses out there is education far exceeding any other goods that we trade or

import. The fact that they are basically arguing about the higher costs of colleges and universities

exceeding the overall inflation rate. On one hand they are saying they have been let down by

legislatures by declining appropriations to schools. On the other hand, the cost continues to rise

per student. While I think this equally has a part to play to both parties, it is apparent that we are

in need of solutions. And to aid my argument maybe not common place solutions or of a

traditional means but maybe something slightly untraditional. (Ties to paper)

Seventh Annotated Bibliography
Unknown, “Legalizing Marijuana Decreases Fatal Opiate Overdoses, Study Shows.”

Drugabuse.com, Unknown, Drugabuse.com, drugabuse.com/legalizing-marijuana-decreases-

fatal-opiate-overdoses/. Accessed February 19, 2018.

I chose this source even though I could not readily identify the author because I felt the

material came from a reputable source and I wanted to lean towards the contribution rather than

the lack of. Also, I know that drug abuse is something that people partially have a strong disdain

for marijuana and its legalization. However, 100 million people in the United States suffer from

chronic pain in an attempt to control such numbers, opioid prescriptions have since doubled in

the last decade. This has lead to a dependency on the opioid prescriptions and a number of

people to break from that habit, with the possibility of marijuana breaking that dependency.

It says in the reading, “The striking implication is that medical marijuana laws, when

implemented may represent a promising approach for stemming runaway rates of nonintentional

opioid-analgesic-related deaths.” A lot of people may not like the idea of exchanging one vice

for the other, but what if it came down to saving your life. I think when it comes down to it,

preservation is what matters most. This being the case I think it is worthy of a discussion, seeing

how we lose entirely to many lives to the opioid epidemic.