Pubdate: Tue, 20 Apr 2010
Source: Red and Black, The (U of Georgia, GA Edu)
Copyright: 2010 The Red and Black Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact:  http://www.redandblack.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2800
Author: Julia Carpenter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

STUDENTS CHOOSE SIDES AT POT DEBATE

Tate Theater was divided into two camps last night: one side sported 
dreadlocks and surf shirts -- the other favored side-parted hair and 
madras shorts. Both were there to watch the real-life drama of Heads 
vs. Feds unfold.

As part of the University Union event, Bob Stutman, a former Drug 
Enforcement Agency agent, and Steve Hager, editor in chief of High 
Times magazine, debated the controversial issue of marijuana 
legalization before a University audience.

"I am for the Heads," said Lorianne Steele, a sophomore finance major 
from Warm Springs. "I kind of support NORML [National Organization 
for the Reform of Marijuana Laws] and all it does, and I just think 
some of those laws being passed in California should make their way here."

Despite college towns' national reputations as more liberal arenas, 
Stutman had some stalwart support in the audience.

"I hope the Feds win," said Andrew Smith, a senior education major 
from Lawrenceville. "The Heads'll probably win, but I just saw it in 
the paper and thought it'd be cool."

Stutman said in an earlier interview with The Red & Black he was 
prepared to tackle a hot-button pro-legalization topic students 
always raise at these debates: the issue of medical marijuana use.

"To be honest about it, there are two chemicals in the cannabis plant 
that I think could be very good medicine. If we extract those and use 
them in a non-smoking manner, the pure two chemicals, then I think 
they will prove to be great medicine," Stutman said.

Stutman objects to the use of cannabis in medical treatments for more 
specific reasons.

"What I'm against is when someone says, 'Let's take in the 433 
extraneous chemicals and the two good ones, and by the way, I think 
you should smoke it. And by the way, we don't know the dose.'"

In the debate, Hager supported the use of medical marijuana, citing 
its proven effects on reducing patient pain and the hypocrisy 
inherent in today's overly medicated population.

"They hand out pills like M&Ms. None of these pills even existed when 
I was in school," he said. "Could they be against it because when I 
hand you a cannabis flower I am handing you free medicine for the 
rest of your lives?"

Hager structured his points largely around his mistrust of the U.S. government.

"Telling us [marijuana] has no medical use whatsoever is equivalent 
to standing in a raging hurricane and the U.S. government telling you 
the wind ain't blowing," he said.

Stutman remained largely on the defensive throughout the evening, 
rebutting Hager's arguments for legalization.

At the start of the debate, Stutman asked that students keep an open mind.

"Remember how important it is to disagree with each other," he said. 
"Steve and I are great personal friends. I have never had more fun in 
my life than when I am on the road with this guy."

As the room erupted in laughter, Stutman hastened to dispel the 
mental image of himself sharing a roach with Hager in the back of a 
psychadelic bus.

"No, no, not that much fun," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom