SLIPPERY ROCK — The people spoke and The Man listened with attentive patience.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman continued his listening tour on the topic of legalizing recreational marijuana with a stop Thursday at Slippery Rock University's McKay Education Center auditorium.

“I come to every one of these events with an open mind,” Fetterman said. “I'm always energized at the end of them.”

The meeting was open to all, but many students attended for one reason or another.

Martha Dunkelberger, a sophomore from State College who was pro-marijuana, said Fetterman's presence was a testament to the democratic system.

She said she appreciated the willingness to bring the event to SRU as opposed to other larger schools.

“I think it's awesome that someone in that position in the government is interested in our opinion,” Dunkelberger said.

Nicholas Condon, a Butler resident and Slippery Rock University sophomore who was pro-marijuana, said he was interested in gathering multiple viewpoints in the same room.

“I also want to have a say in my government,” Condon said. “I think that's very important.”

For one student, the evening bordered on life-changing.

Chelsea Werner, a senior who is pro-marijuana, said she has a felony charge on her record. She said the offense was for less than an ounce marijuana.

She turned to the crowd and told them all the things she could no longer do. She can't hunt. She can't work with children. She can't teach.

Werner wanted to be a teacher heading into college, but because of her criminal record, she's had to readjust her goal. She'll graduate this spring with a degree in art and with multiple exhibits under her belt.

“I insisted that it would not ruin my life,” Werner said. “(But) this shouldn't ruin people's lives.”

Before moving on, Fetterman stopped and pointed to Werner in the back of the room. He told her that he was a member of the state Board of Pardons and she should speak to his chief of staff before leaving.

The gesture brought Werner to tears. After the event was over, she called her mother, who she said shared her excitement.

Werner said she had looked into trying to get pardoned before, but even for marijuana, the process is costly. While she is comfortable with where life has taken her, she said she hopes the state legalizes recreational marijuana to help give others a reprieve from the excessive penalties the drug brings.

“Not everyone has the support system I have,” Werner said.

At the end of the event, Fetterman asked people to raise their hands if they were pro, con or neutral on the issues. Of the room full of about 150 people, only 10 hands rose to oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Reid Campbell, a firefighter with the West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department, was one of the opposed.

“I am opposed to recreational marijuana because I'm the guy that pushes Narcan,” Campbell said. “Cannabis to the people I go to has been the gateway drug.”

Annie Braun of Butler, who is pro-legalization, said she has seen many different effects of different drugs through her work as a registered nurse.

“Marijuana is not a gateway drug,” Braun said. “What we have in our (medicine) cabinets is a gateway drug.”

The Rev. Larry Thompson of Oakland Township, who also opposes legalization, said he is wary of the government's intentions behind legalization.

“I think the cynical part here is (the government) just wants an additional revenue stream,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he can remember a simpler time when people were more focused on God in their daily lives. He said these problems with drugs directly correlate with the way many people have turned away from God.

“It's a spiritual problem in our country,” Thompson said. “We're reaping the whirlwind.”

Fetterman said a clear majority has been present at many of the locations he has visited, but there has always been some opposition.

He said the most important part of the tour is encouraging people to listen rather than debate. He encouraged people to applaud a viewpoint they liked, but not to boo or discourage those they didn't agree with.

“There isn't a single place we won't go,” Fetterman said. “I want to create a space where anyone can feel that they can share their view.”