Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2007
Source: Louisville Cardinal, The (KY Edu, Univ of Louisville)
Copyright: 2007 The Louisville Cardinal Online
Contact:  http://www.louisvillecardinal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2766
Author: Tejas Shastry
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALITY OF MARIJUANA SPARKS STUDENT DEBATE

Students' minds lit up during the first of several debates hosted by 
University of Louisville Properties.

Groups for and against legalizing marijuana debated last Tuesday 
night in Kurz Hall.

Sgt. Steve Salyers of the Louisville Metro Police Narcotics/Vice unit 
moderated the event, and a panel of university faculty, staff and 
students, including a representative from the Commonwealth Attorney's 
Office, judged it.

"I coordinated this program to encourage residents to explore a hot 
button topic in a different manner that gives them access to both 
sides of an issue," said Lamont Johnson, assistant community manager 
for ULP. "It will also help students develop good research and public 
speaking skills."

"The fact we're bringing up controversial issues to educate students, 
will help people open up their minds and start thinking critically," 
said Nathan Parthasarathy, a junior chemistry major and legalization proponent.

About 50 people listened to the opinions. The pro-legalization side 
emphasized the medicinal and economical benefits gained from the 
decriminalization of marijuana. In contrast, the opposing side 
stressed the theory that marijuana is a gateway drug to "harder," 
more dangerous drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Parthasarathy opened the debate by touting the therapeutic benefits 
of the plant. Sophomore Tyler Kilgore, a biology major, rebutted by 
citing several studies which claim marijuana is a dangerous 
carcinogen. The United States should not legalize another 
cancer-causing drug, Kilgore said.

"I thought the [arguments] as a whole [were] a little disappointing 
because the side against legalization seemed to be lacking the 
appropriate knowledge to bring a decent argument to the table," said 
James Allsbrook, a freshman electrical engineering major. "The 
pro-legalization side definitely took the win by a long-shot."

The judging panel agreed, and the pro-legalization side emerged as 
the victors of the first ULP debate.

"The debate was a great success, I hope this is an implication of 
what will occur in the future," Kilgore said.

For complete listings of the student and judging panels, visit 
www.louisvillecardinal.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom