Should pot be legalized, or not? That was the question debated between Steve Hager, editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, and Drug Enforcement Administration veteran Robert Stutman in debate held Wednesday night at the Jorgensen entitled "Heads versus Feds." "I'm going to give you five reasons why marijuana should be legalized," Hager said. He continued to give his five points, beginning with the medical uses marijuana has to offer. "There are more diseases that [marijuana] can be used for than any other substance," Hager said. [continues 833 words]
I am not a hippy - "one who advocates extreme liberalism in sociopolitical attitudes and lifestyles." I know marijuana should not be completely legalized because heavy marijuana use can have many harmful effects on an individual and on their friends and family. However, I want the same as many devoted hippy liberals out there - marijuana should be decriminalized and available for medicinal use. One may wonder why I begin this article by asserting the fact that I am not a hippy. It is because many of these people argue against the current laws on marijuana for the wrong reasons. For example, the characteristic line of reasoning is that the government should reform marijuana laws because it is natural therefore it is harmless. [continues 876 words]
Steve Hager, editor of independent magazine High Times, was playing piano backstage in Jorgenson Wednesday night. He wore a black jean jacket and blue pants with a silver chain attached. His gray hair is shoulder-length and layered. He's in his 50s, but there is something eternally young about him. Hager, a proponent of a 1960s counterculture, questions the status quo and remains a free spirit. His intelligence and wit are captivating. Hager came to UConn to debate the issue of legalizing marijuana with Robert Stutman, formerly of the Drug Enforcement Administration. A friend of Hager's from high school visited backstage and they sat on the leather sofa, sharing laughs and reminiscing. [continues 1086 words]
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. [continues 237 words]
There has long been a call to legalize marijuana. Quite noticeably, the effort has been spearheaded by "potheads" more concerned with their next high than social justice. This has led to a tendency for polarization in the debate. That's why I, the author of last year's article, "A Straight Edge Manifesto," have decided to enter the ring. But I won't stop at marijuana like those sissy "potheads." I say legalize all drugs. There is no doubt in my mind that using drugs is a bad idea. But just because something is a bad idea, does not mean it should be against the law. The litmus test for government intervention should be, "harm to others." If an action harms others, the authorities should act. If it stands to harm no one but the individual acting, then the authorities should stand aside. The government should concern itself with dangerous felons: murderers, rapists, vandals, arsonists, thieves and the like. Any effort directed at victimless crimes draws our energy away from confronting real dangers. It would be more efficient and more worthwhile to concentrate focus just on real threats. [continues 568 words]
