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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom