Pubdate: Tue, 11 Oct 2005
Source: Arkansas Traveler, The (AR Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Arkansas Traveler
Contact:  http://thetraveleronline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2717
Author: Jeff Winkler
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CAMPUS GROUP SPARKS DEBATE

Stoners and squares alike packed the Alltel Ballroom Thursday night 
as the heads battled the feds in a debate over the decriminalization 
and legalization of marijuana, with as many as 600 people in 
attendance, according to Matt Heath, the University Programs Cultures 
and Concepts Committee chairman.

Bob Stutman, who had been one of America's top drug busters, 
represented the side of the Feds, arguing against the 
decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Steve Hager, former 
Editor of High Times magazine, represented the heads and called for 
an immediate end to the United States' war on pot.

Video introductions for both speakers played at the beginning of the 
debate and detailed their respective lives and achievements.

Stutman was almost recruited by the CIA, and decided to work with the 
DEA and was one of the top police officers in the nation, making some 
15,000 arrests during his career. He was a key figure in the media 
when crack first became popular, and has received several awards from 
law enforcement agencies throughout the country, according to the video.

Hager came from an entirely different background, first discovering 
acid when he went to San Francisco and participated in the glamorized 
counter-culture of the sixties, according to the video. He joined 
High Times magazine in 1988 and one of his most oft-mentioned 
achievements is creating the Cannabis Cup, the "Academy Awards of 
marijuana," held every year in Amsterdam.

After the video introductions the two speakers appeared on stage - 
Hager in jeans and a denim jacket with long, salt-and-pepper hair 
waving freely, and Stutman, conservatively dressed in a blue-collar 
button up suit and loafers. Each man spent 15 minutes making his case 
to the audience.

Hager spoke first, going hard and fast, hands pointing hard to one 
argument and then the next and pushing on forcefully and passionately 
about the health benefits of marijuana, the negative results of 
criminalizing the drug, and his generation's ties to the drug.

"It's part of my culture," Hager said, continuing past constant 
cheers and remarks from the audience. "We think [of it] as our 
sacrament. Please give us freedom of religion in America."

Stutman followed no easy act, and the audience constantly threw jeers 
while he presented his point. He spoke in a soft but sturdy New York 
accent and responded several times to the remarks made by audience members.

Senior Bo Counts, said, "I don't take well to ranting and conspiracy 
theories," referring to several outbursts from some of the audience 
members. Counts said that he enjoyed the debate, but that Hager 
"totally discredited himself when he talk[ed] about getting high and 
then talk[ed] about what good uses marijuana had."

Stutman said the single largest reason for those who want to legalize 
marijuana, is because it's their drug of choice and they don't want 
to get locked up for it. Stutman said "people shouldn't be thrown in 
jail for drug use," but also reminded the audience that there are 
"stupid policies," on both sides of the argument.

"I don't think it's a demon, evil weed," said Stutman. "I think if 
marijuana is made legal we will have far more users."

After the debate, there was a 15 minute question and answer period. 
Despite warnings and pleas from the speakers and moderator to keep to 
questions and not soap box rants, many of those who approached the 
audience microphone never asked real questions, spending their time 
instead attempting to lecture Stutman on the wonders of pot.

Following the event, Stutman and Hager stayed at the front of the 
stage to take questions and continue discussions about marijuana. 
Both had a huge crowd of people, with Hager frantically selling 
copies of his book and issues of High Times, and Stutman in verbal 
gymnastics with several of the audience members.

"I thought it was a good debate," said Phil Brick. Brick said Stutman 
did a good job defending his argument.

"As many questions that were thrown at him...he kept referring to 
what he had already said, which showed that he had his facts straight 
and was well prepared."

Many saw the debate as a victory for the Heads. Random bursts of 
applause and cheers came after several of Hager's remarks, most 
notably the comments on simply getting high.

"It was a good debate," said Brooke Sutton, junior. "But I thought he 
[Stutman] never addressed why it was wrong...I was disappointed with 
the argument. I thought in contrast to the absurdity of other 
religions and their practices his [Hager's] argument about freedom of 
using pot in whatever religious ceremonies he wanted to, was a fine argument."

The Heads v. Feds debate starring Stutman and Hager has appeared at 
more than 100 colleges since 2000 and consistently reaches maximum 
capacity numbers nationwide, according to a UP press release.

The debate was co-sponsored by the Young Democrats, the College 
Republicans, and NORML, with University Programs leading the show.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman