Pubdate: Mon, 29 Sep 2003
Source: Vanguard, The (AL Edu)
Copyright: 2003 USA Vanguard
Contact:  http://www.usavanguard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2827
Author: Sammy Patrick
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

HEADS 'BUTT' AT MARIJUANA SHOWDOWN

Could a former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent and the editor-in-chief
of the counterculture publication "High Times" agree on anything when they
came to USA to debate over the legalization of marijuana? Yes, and it was
their belief that drug users should have no place in America's prison
system.

The Jaguar Productions-sponsored "Heads versus Feds" debate took place
Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Student Center Ballroom and featured 25-year
Drug Enforcement Administration veteran Bob Stutman and marijuana activist
Steve Hagar. Joseph Lepore, a USA history professor, mediated the event that
drew the larger-than-expected crowd of more than 500, according to JP's
Mirian Hubbard.

Hager, who has been at the helms of "High Times" for more than 15 years,
began the debate by expeditiously stating five reasons he believes marijuana
should be legalized.

"Because it's good medicine," was Hagar's initial cause for a change in the
status quo. Hager expressed discontent with the current role of insurance
and pharmaceutical companies and speculated as to who actually benefits from
the writing of a prescription.

"You can get something to go up, down, sideways, backwards," Hager said
before mentioning the liberal prescribing of Ritalin, Valium, Xanex, Prozac
and Paxil to our nation's children.

Hager's second reason dealt with environmental issues, as he claimed that
paper made from hemp lasts longer and is the type used for pages of old,
long-lasting Bibles. According to Hager, an acre of hemp could produce four
times as much paper as an acre of trees could.

"We built the largest prison system in the word in my lifetime," was Hager's
next line of rationalization for abandoning the war on marijuana. He claimed
that the United States' vast prison system is a breeding ground for
criminals of the future, while also mentioning the shifting of control of
prisons to the private sector.

An avoidance of funding corruption and a call for religious freedoms were
Hager's causes four and five, respectively.

Stutman began his counter attack by quoting Patrick Henry and saying that we
are "entitled to our own opinion and not to own facts." Stutman used
scientific studies and journals to support his belief that marijuana should
remain an illegal substance.

Stutman claimed that Hager redefined the debate and made it sound
intellectual, while leaving out the true reason cannabis supporters push for
its legalization; "because they want to get high now."

"Any doctor who tells you to smoke anything for your health is a fool,"
Stutman said.

And, in response to Hager's linking religious rights to marijuana usage, the
former federal agent used the Morman church and their practice of polygamy
as an example to say that just because something is done in the name of
religion doesn't make it right.

Stutman's leading reason to sustain marijuana prohibition was because, if
legalized, "we will have more users."

However, Stutman held to his belief that possession of marijuana should not
be a crime punishable with jail terms. Furthermore, he said his overall
stance on "pot" would be altered if one of three things happened: if public
perception changed, if courts reversed laws or if scientific facts changed.

"I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future," Stutman said though.

The verbal battle endured for over 90 minutes and also included
student-sparked points of debate as microphones were placed on both sides of
the Ballroom for questions from the audience.

Comparisons were made to alcohol and cigarettes, and health issues were
raised about the amount of carcinogens absorbed by smoking the cannabis
plant. Hager encouraged partaking of marijuana by vaporizing the leaves and
eating it in baked goods to avoid smoking altogether.

Audience arousal peaked when Stutman, while speaking of his liking to have a
glass of wine with dinner, said he never knew of a "pothead" who smoked
because he enjoyed the taste of "bud." The crowd erupted and individuals
shouted statements such as "stay away from 'schwagg'" (what many Web sites
define as "generic, mass-produced marijuana).

Hager's closing remarks dealt with criticism of the "Cheech and Chong"
attitudes some smokers have that, he claims, hurt the cause and actually
help keep the laws in tact. He said that taking "breakfast bong hits" isn't
smart and can interfere with student's lives during this crucial period of
development.

Hager also encouraged USA students to begin an organization in support of
marijuana and called for a campus gathering, with bands, on April 20 of each
year.

According to JP's Paula Duke, the function, which cost in the neighborhood
of $7000 to put on, was as "a really good investment of our student fee,"
and she was "very pleased by the turnout.

As for the dueling, traveling debaters who go from one campus to the next
sharing their opinions, they're actually good friends.

"We didn't start out as friends," Stutman said in a post-debate interview.

But through time, a friendship budded and they now stick together on the
road, eating and flying together among other daily activities.

Stutman said that people don't have to see things the same way to be friends
and "it's ok to disagree."
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