Pubdate: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 Source: Connecticut Daily Campus (CT Edu) Copyright: 2004 Connecticut Daily Campus Contact: http://www.dailycampus.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2778 Author: Chris Pickett Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular) LEGALIZE IT? The debates between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry will not be the only heated debates this October. The recurring debate of the legalization of marijuana will continue tonight at the Jorgensen Auditorium at 8 p.m. Steve Hager, editor of the notorious High Times magazine, will take on Drug Enforcement Administration veteran Robert Stutman covering a number of issues surrounding the legalization of marijuana. The two opponents will argue over whether marijuana should be applied in today's society for medicinal or spiritual purposes. In past debates, Hager has adamantly supported the drug's medicinal use stating it is not the cure, but an aid in physical and mental recovery for patients. According to his biography on Wolfman Productions' Web site, Hager's goal is to "establish the counterculture as a legitimate minority group whose basic rights of freedom of religion and pursuit of happiness have been denied." Stutman, on the other hand, is very concerned about the future of the nation and believes that usage of marijuana would increase if it were legalized. Since High Times' first issue in 1988, Hager has been the Editor-in-Chief and has created numerous events surrounding the controversial plant, including the Academy Awards of Marijuana and the Cannabis Cup, both held in Amsterdam. His book, "Adventures in the Counterculture: From Hip Hop to High Times," also was released by the High Times Press. The two polar opposites will, at the beginning of the debate, present opening statements. After they both finish their statements, the audience will be allowed to participate and ask questions. Over Stutman's 25-year career with the DEA, approximately 5,000 investigations regarding drugs were launched. Stutman's work led to numerous rewards from various law enforcement agencies throughout the country. He is now Chairman and CEO of Substance Abuse Technologies, Inc. as well as a special consultant on substance abuse to the CBS News. This event has swept the nation, crowding auditoriums at many universities along the east coast including Virginia Tech, the University of South Carolina and Penn College of Technology. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek