Copyright: 2007, The Leaf-Chronicle
Contact: letters@theleafchronicle.com
Website: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1601
Author: Melissa Tyndall
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DEBATE TO EXPLORE LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

High Times Editor, DEA Agent To Face Off

Whether you are straight-laced and against the legalization of
marijuana, an advocate for the drug's medical purposes or a
hippie-type looking to spark up without breaking the law, Wednesday's
debate at Austin Peay State University could prove
interesting.

The APSU Govs Programming Council is sponsoring the debate at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, in the Morgan University Ballroom on the legalization of
the drug.

The debaters are High Times editor Steve Hager and Bob Stutman -- a
former officer with the New York City Drug Enforcement Agency.

APSU Student Life and Leadership (SLL) Assistant Director Shaun
Ketterman said the event was chosen by a group of students on a new
programming council that launched this year.

Other events the group planned included a magic show last month and
the comedy show scheduled for April 18. While Ketterman wanted to
begin a new programming council for some time, it was the support of
the new SLL director Heidi Scheusner that got the ball rolling.

"It's something we were wanting to do for a while but couldn't get
moving," Ketterman said. "Heidi was really instrumental in getting it
off the ground."

According to the debate Web page, listed as a part of the Wolfman
Productions Web site, both members of the Wednesday debate are
well-versed in the subject matter. Hager has been editor-in-chief of
High Times on and off since 1988. He also founded the Cannabis Cup and
the national Hemp Tour -- a hemp legalization movement.

Stutman first became an agent with DEA in 1965 and has been featured
on television shows such as 48 Hours, Today and Good Morning America.

At 7 p.m., the debaters will offer a multimedia presentation, debate
and question-and-answer session. While the event is free and open to
the public, only 600 seats will be available.

"We were looking for big name, high profile projects to come to
campus," Ketterman said. "This is the one that the students chose."

Melissa Tyndall covers education