Pubdate: Tue, 28 Mar 2006
Source: Reflector, The (State U, MS Edu)
Copyright: 2006 The Reflector
Contact:  http://www.reflector-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2802
Author: Zach Prichard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CAB BRINGS 'GREAT DEBATE' TO THE UNION

In November 2005, Denver passed a measure that allowed adults over the
age of 21 to possess an ounce or less of marijuana without criminal
prosecution. While not exactly legalization (fines are still able to
be imposed, and it is still illegal to sell or buy it), it's a step
closer for this hot-button topic.

On Thursday, the debate takes center stage at The Union as the Heads
vs. Feds debate rolls into town.

The event, which has become intensely popular on college campuses
around the country, is headed by Steven Hager and Robert Stutman.

Stutman, representing the "con" side of legalization, is an ex-DEA
agent who retired in 1990 after 25 years of service. During his time
with the agency, 5,000 investigations were launched that led to more
than 15,000 arrests and seizure of more than $400 million in
traffickers' assets. He now heads The Stutman Group, a consulting firm
designed to implement substance abuse prevention programs for a
variety of companies.

Stutman's stance is simple:

"If we legalize it we get more users," he said, "and we saw how good
that turned out with the alcohol experiment."

He also claims that most proponents are trying to get it legalized
mainly for recreational use, and that the "medicinal legalization" is
just another path toward personal use.

On the other side of the stage is Steve Hager. A journalism major from
the University of Illinois, Hager was the editor-in-chief at High
Times magazine for 16 years. In addition to his journalistic
achievements, he also founded The Freedom Fighters, a nationwide group
dedicated to the legalization of marijuana. Hager is also busy with
creating a counter-culture TV network.

Hager, who was unavailable for comment, has the goal of "establishing
the counterculture as a legitimate minority group whose basic rights
of freedom of religion and pursuit of happiness have been denied," as
stated in the official Heads vs. Feds press release.

The touring and formal debate was the next step in the issue.

"I had been debating this topic with lots of other people," Stutman
said. "Then Scott Wolfman [agent and founder of Wolfman Productions]
saw me and decided to put [Hager and me] together."

The debate also acts as an open forum. Each speaker has a 15-minute
opening, then the floor is opened to questions from the audience.
Afterward, there are closing remarks, but Stutman and Hager usually
stick around to speak to students.

While the event serves as a debate first, it also tries to break down
walls between the two opposing groups.

"Despite what people might think, Hager and I are really close
personal friends," Stutman said. "We want people to understand two
things: first, we want to break down the stereotypes. Proponents of
legalization always think I'm the devil incarnate, and opponents
always think Hager is the typical pothead. That's not the case."

"Secondly, we want people to understand that despite the fact that we
disagree, we can disagree without being disagreeable. There's no bad
blood between us at all."

So how do they expect the reaction to be in a Red state?

"I can tell you exactly what will happen," Stutman said. "The
activists will show up. I was doing the debate at the University of
South Dakota once. They have a pretty conservative Mormon population,
so I figured I'd have more people on my side. It definitely wasn't the
case."

Campus Activities Board student director Bobbie Lee Daniels expects
there won't be any repercussions from the conservative population.

"I think this is going to be an educational experience for both
sides," she said.

"It's not just about convincing people outright," Stutman said. "It's
about getting people to think. When I have someone come up to me
afterwards and say, 'I may not agree with you, but you made me think,'
I know I've done a good job."

What: Debate focusing on the pros and cons of the legalization of marijuana.

When: Thursday night at 7

Where: The Union

Cost: Free
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MAP posted-by: Tom