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Alaska anchor fires up pot campaign: 'Fuck it' was just the messenger Alaska anchor fires up pot campaign: the expletive was just the messenger
(about 21 hours later)
Two days after Charlo Greene quit her job as a television reporter in Alaska after delivering a passionate on-air plea in favor of marijuana legalization, she was at Anchorage’s Dena’ina Center for a hearing on Tuesday to discuss a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state.Two days after Charlo Greene quit her job as a television reporter in Alaska after delivering a passionate on-air plea in favor of marijuana legalization, she was at Anchorage’s Dena’ina Center for a hearing on Tuesday to discuss a ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
It was expected to be a routine government hearing – a quiet, policy-oriented affair, one of several organized by the governor to discuss ballot initiatives for the upcoming November elections.It was expected to be a routine government hearing – a quiet, policy-oriented affair, one of several organized by the governor to discuss ballot initiatives for the upcoming November elections.
But the manner in which Greene resigned from KTVA – “Fuck it, I quit,” she said on air before walking off camera – has revitalized Alaska’s pro-legalization movement.But the manner in which Greene resigned from KTVA – “Fuck it, I quit,” she said on air before walking off camera – has revitalized Alaska’s pro-legalization movement.
“While some people are hung up on the ‘fuck it’ part, the fact that Alaskans were out fighting in droves for what’s right [legalization] – that is the message,” Greene told the Guardian. “Ultimately, that’s the message: ‘fuck it’ was just the messenger.”“While some people are hung up on the ‘fuck it’ part, the fact that Alaskans were out fighting in droves for what’s right [legalization] – that is the message,” Greene told the Guardian. “Ultimately, that’s the message: ‘fuck it’ was just the messenger.”
Legalisation opponent Kristina Woolston – with a group called “Big Marijuana, Big Mistake – Vote No on Two – opened the hearing on Tuesday by calling the initiative “more extreme than Colorado”, referring to the 2013 initiative that legalized recreational marijuana in that state.Legalisation opponent Kristina Woolston – with a group called “Big Marijuana, Big Mistake – Vote No on Two – opened the hearing on Tuesday by calling the initiative “more extreme than Colorado”, referring to the 2013 initiative that legalized recreational marijuana in that state.
Someone in the crowd shouted “bullshit” at Woolston’s statement, unleashing an angry cacophony of comments from supporters of the legalization initiative, called Ballot Measure 2.Someone in the crowd shouted “bullshit” at Woolston’s statement, unleashing an angry cacophony of comments from supporters of the legalization initiative, called Ballot Measure 2.
Among them was Greene, fresh from her turn as the internet’s latest viral star, who responded to Woolston and legalisation opponents by speaking about the damaging effects of alcohol, an industry she believes is behind the No campaign. She was hailed as a hero by supporters who called out during her presentation and swarmed her in the crowd.Among them was Greene, fresh from her turn as the internet’s latest viral star, who responded to Woolston and legalisation opponents by speaking about the damaging effects of alcohol, an industry she believes is behind the No campaign. She was hailed as a hero by supporters who called out during her presentation and swarmed her in the crowd.
While she has received criticism for cursing in her abrupt departure, Greene said she is proud of the fervor it has seemed to stir up. She said that since quitting, she has slept about one hour per night, spending most of her time campaigning for legalization in interviews across the country.While she has received criticism for cursing in her abrupt departure, Greene said she is proud of the fervor it has seemed to stir up. She said that since quitting, she has slept about one hour per night, spending most of her time campaigning for legalization in interviews across the country.
“It was Alaskans speaking out, finally, screaming out, quite literally, and voicing their opinions, demanding answers from the No on Two campaign,” said Greene, who interviewed members of the opposition campaign multiple times as a reporter. She said she had to leave journalism because as a reporter, she was not allowed to take a public position on legalization.“It was Alaskans speaking out, finally, screaming out, quite literally, and voicing their opinions, demanding answers from the No on Two campaign,” said Greene, who interviewed members of the opposition campaign multiple times as a reporter. She said she had to leave journalism because as a reporter, she was not allowed to take a public position on legalization.
Alaska is one of a number of states, counties and cities with marijuana initiatives on their November ballots. If Alaska’s effort is successful, it would be the third US state to legalize recreational marijuana, after Washington and Colorado.Alaska is one of a number of states, counties and cities with marijuana initiatives on their November ballots. If Alaska’s effort is successful, it would be the third US state to legalize recreational marijuana, after Washington and Colorado.
Opponents of legalization say they are concerned about the effects legalization will have on Alaska’s young people and about the health effects of marijuana use. On Tuesday, however, their concerns were drowned out by legalization supporters. “This is the rudest we’ve ever seen Alaskans,” deputy treasurer of the Vote No on Two campaign, Deborah Williams, told Alaska Dispatch News after the meeting.Opponents of legalization say they are concerned about the effects legalization will have on Alaska’s young people and about the health effects of marijuana use. On Tuesday, however, their concerns were drowned out by legalization supporters. “This is the rudest we’ve ever seen Alaskans,” deputy treasurer of the Vote No on Two campaign, Deborah Williams, told Alaska Dispatch News after the meeting.
Charles Fedullo, a campaign spokesperson for Big Marijuana. Big Mistake. Vote No on Two, who was at the hearing, said there was about equal support for each side of the issue in the room, but the pro-legalization side was “a little louder and more abrasive in its approach”.Charles Fedullo, a campaign spokesperson for Big Marijuana. Big Mistake. Vote No on Two, who was at the hearing, said there was about equal support for each side of the issue in the room, but the pro-legalization side was “a little louder and more abrasive in its approach”.
“What is disappointing is that those who support this initiative have resorted to name calling and belligerent language and behavior,” Fedullo said. “I guess when the facts aren’t on your side, you resort to other tactics.”“What is disappointing is that those who support this initiative have resorted to name calling and belligerent language and behavior,” Fedullo said. “I guess when the facts aren’t on your side, you resort to other tactics.”
The next government hearing takes place on Thursday afternoon in Wasilla, where Sarah Palin began her political career. Greene is set to attend.The next government hearing takes place on Thursday afternoon in Wasilla, where Sarah Palin began her political career. Greene is set to attend.
“The people that are upset about the f-word will get over it,” said Greene. “Maybe while they are smoking their legal marijuana after November 4.”“The people that are upset about the f-word will get over it,” said Greene. “Maybe while they are smoking their legal marijuana after November 4.”