cannabisnews.com: DEA, 'High Times' Go Head To Head in Pot Debate





DEA, 'High Times' Go Head To Head in Pot Debate
Posted by CN Staff on April 29, 2003 at 12:37:23 PT
By Ryan Sieveking & Amerlie Coulet
Source: Red And Black
The debate to legalize marijuana doesn't kick off at 4:20 this afternoon, but sparks will fly tonight. The University Union is sponsoring "Heads vs. Feds: The Debate to Legalize Marijuana.""High Times" magazine editor Steve Hager and retired DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agent Robert Stutman have been invited to bandy words and wits.
The high-profile marijuana pundits will debate the pros and cons of legalization, with an extensive question and answer session to follow.Hager has been editor in chief of "High Times" since 1988. Aside from pro-pot penmanship, the University of Illinois graduate created "The Freedom Fighters," a national marijuana legalization group.Among his other pursuits, Hager founded "The Cannabis Cup," a series of awards for marijuana.Stutman, meanwhile, made a 25-year career as one of America's highest profile drug busters. He's also a leading advocate for drug prevention and education, having published the best-selling auto-biography, "Dead on Delivery.""Heads vs. Feds" will be moderated by University School of Law professor Alan Cook.From legislation to public opinion, legalization is becoming a hot topic.Some states, such as California, recently passed legislation that allows the use of marijuana as a medical substance, while others are considering such legislation.Braniff Davis, coordinator of the "Ideas & Issues" section of University Union, said he feels it's a good idea to visit the issue."We would like to expose students to both sides of the story so they can make their own informed judgment based on what they hear," he said.Opinions on whether cannabis, the marijuana plant, causes damage to health are divided."I don't understand why marijuana is illegal," said Lauren Ricciardelli, a sophomore from Valdosta. "I think that reasonable consumption is less harmful and less addictive than alcohol or cigarettes."She also spoke in favor of legalization for economic reasons."If the government would legalize and regulate marijuana consumption, it would curtail the black market and eliminate most of the dealers," she said.Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. According to a National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 37 percent of Americans aged 12 and older have smoked at least once in their lifetime."Laws regarding marijuana should be more strict," said Brett Yardley, a freshman from Roswell. "I'm completely against the legalization of all drugs. I've known people who have died in drug-related accidents, and the experience is terrible."Junior Stevie Hretz is a Stockbridge native and a member of the UGA Libertarians. She said she believes marijuana laws restrict freedoms and create tremendous costs."The statistics are clear," she said. "The drug war is a waste of tax payers' money, and border wars contribute to the growth of the black market. Additionally, marijuana laws encourage drug-motivated murders and crimes."While the debate rages throughout the United States, European countries have opted for a more proactive approach.Several western European countries have either legalized or decriminalized the use of cannabis already. But don't expect the United States to follow suit any time soon.In the Netherlands, the consumption and sale of marijuana is legal, while Switzerland already has decriminalized consumption.Other countries, such as Spain and Germany, don't consider possession of a small amount (between 5 and 30 grams, depending on the circumstances) a penal crime.Kim Hector, a sophomore from Riverdale, said he thinks the United States should pass similar legislation."Marijuana shouldn't be legalized outright, but it should certainly be legalized for medicinal purposes," she said. "Marijuana laws are too strict in the states. Why is weed such a big deal?"Andrew Seepersad, a junior from Siparia, said he thinks even marijuana legalized for medical purposes would not solve the problems of abuse in the country."I wouldn't be against legalizing it as a controlled medical substance since some of its beneficial effects have been scientifically proven, but among the general public, there would be no way preventing its abuse," he said. Source: Red And Black, The (GA Edu University of Georgia)Author: Ryan Sieveking & Amerlie CouletPublished: April 29, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Red and Black Publishing Co., Inc.Contact: lnewman randb.comWebsite: http://www.redandblack.com/Related Articles & Web Site:High Times Magazinehttp://www.hightimes.com/Experts Debate The Legalization of Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15936.shtmlHead, Fed Debate Marijuana's Merits http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15867.shtmlDebate To Legalize Marijuana Attracts Crowd http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15863.shtml
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