cannabisnews.com: Head, Fed Debate Marijuana's Merits Head, Fed Debate Marijuana's Merits Posted by CN Staff on April 03, 2003 at 12:53:23 PT By Leah Thorsen, Lincoln Journal Star Source: Lincoln Journal Star If the audience at the Nebraska Union on Wednesday night was any indication, at least the first part of Stutman's point was validated. Stutman, who's retired from the Drug Enforcement Administration, debated Steve Hager, editor in chief of High Times magazine, about marijuana legalization. The majority of the estimated 500 in attendance were college students. The crowd often booed Stutman, who opposes legalization, and cheered frequently for the pro-pot Hager. But fair was fair, some in the audience apparently decided, as they applauded some Stutman comments, too. Among Hager's arguments: Marijuana is an effective medicine for a variety of illnesses; that hemp is good for the environment and useful for making more than 25,000 products; and marijuana is a "sacrament" of the counterculture, which he describes as his religion. Among Stutman's arguments: Legalization would lead to more marijuana smokers, which would mean more traffic accidents; no major health organizations have endorsed pot as good medicine; and that Hager's view was based on emotion rather than fact. "Just because you like what Steve says, don't accept it blindly," Stutman said. Hager also said synthetic drugs are more addictive and toxic than marijuana, but are doled out by profit-hungry companies. He also said too many people are sent to prison for drug use, calling prisons a "breeding ground for psychopaths" who come out angry that their lives have been destroyed. "It's a lot more dangerous to go to jail than to smoke a marijuana cigarette,"Hager said. Stutman criticized Hager's stance on pot for religious reasons, saying, for example, that Mormons once practiced polygamy. "Just because it's done in the name of religion doesn't make it right,"Stutman said, saying that smoking a "blunt"at a party doesn't qualify as a religious ceremony. Stutman also blasted state referendums allowing voters to decide whether pot should be legal in their state, and he said scientists should determine whether marijuana has medicinal value. Clayton Rosenberg and Kristi Showers, both University of Nebraska-Lincoln students who support legalizing pot, said they weren't impressed by either man's arguments. "It doesn't matter what side you're on, they're both arguing horribly,"Showers said. Both men used humor in their arguments and voiced mutual respect. "Bob means well, but he's never tried marijuana," Hager said. Hager then offered Stutman a weeklong vacation to Amsterdam, where Stutman could legally get high. Hager said he would then play Bob Marley music and get Stutman something to eat. Stutman laughed and declined. Note: Robert Stutman says most college students support legalizing marijuana, but that most adults older than 35 oppose such a measure. Source: Lincoln Journal Star (NE)Author: Leah Thorsen, Lincoln Journal Star Published: Thursday, April 03, 2003Copyright: 2003 Lincoln Journal StarContact: oped journalstar.comWebsite: http://www.journalstar.com/Related Articles & Web Site:High Times Magazinehttp://www.hightimes.com/Debate To Legalize Marijuana Attracts Crowd http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15863.shtmlFormer DEA Agent, Journalist To Square Offhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14536.shtmlGanja Debate Draws Crowd http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14427.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 03, 2003 at 14:23:44 PT Poll on The War on Iraq http://www.msnbc.com/modules/msn/front.asp [ Post Comment ] Post Comment