Miss California Alyssa Campanella wins 2011 Miss USA pageant

Miss California Alyssa Campanella has won the 2011 Miss USA pageant.Campanella defeated 50 other beauties in the event at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.Campanella, who originally hails from New Jersey but now lives in Los Angeles, will represent the United States at this year’s Miss Universe pageant in September in Brazil.Auburn-haired Campanella, 21, took the stage donning both a turquoise gown and a blue and white polka dot bikini for the event’s evening gown and swimsuit portions, and she answered a question regarding the legalization of marijuana for the Q and A section of the competition.”I understand why that question would be asked, especially with today’s economy, but I also understand that medical marijuana is very important to help those who need it medically,” the ABC News quoted Campanella as saying.”I’m not sure if it should be legalized, if it would really affect, with the drug war. I mean, it’s abused today, unfortunately, so that’s the only reason why I would kind of be a little bit against it, but medically it’s OK,”