'POTHEAD PROF' GETS SMOKING ROOM

As of this week, Trinity College philosophy professor Doug Hutchinson
will be authorized to smoke marijuana openly on campus.

In a statement sent to university administrators and philosophy
department faculty members Friday, Hutchinson revealed he has been
using marijuana as a therapeutic treatment for a chronic health
condition for over ten years.

"I was 'outed' by College authorities from where I was hiding in my
'dope closet'," his statement said. It also said that the process of
getting permission to puff was long and ugly, but ultimately fruitful.

He has now been given a ventilated smoking room in the basement of
Trinity College, and the provosts of both the college and the
university have written him letters commending his choice.

"Over the course of the months of sometimes angry discussions, the
other side learned better what the facts of my case and the laws on
marijuana actually are," said his statement.

"I'm quite impressed with the university, and the fact that they're
giving him a room to smoke," said Paul Egan, a graduate student who
majored in philosophy as an undergrad. "Anyone who knows Hutchinson
knows he has some pretty impressive credentials. I don't think [his
teaching] will be affected. The fact that he can teach a class on
Seneca while high is incredible."

Hutchinson said he was aware of the possible impact to his
credibility as a professor, but wished to come out publicly on his
own terms. So he is inviting sceptics to evaluate his performance.

"There are 10 spare seats in the [course on the philosopher Seneca]
which meet from 10 to 1 on Tuesdays, and I invite [visitors] to see
for themselves whether the pot-head professor is teaching well.

"I'm sure it will influence his reputation," said former philosophy
student Jamie Smith, who is now working on his Masters degree in
social and political thought. "But it will say more about the people
who like and dislike him than it will about him as a person."

As his pot privileges become publicized, Hutchison hopes his case
will change the way U of T treats marijuana. He cited the case of a
Trinity student who was expelled from residence for pot possession in
2005. Hutchison claimed this action violated the student's Charter rights.

But so far as the relationship between philosophy and marijuana goes,
the connection is still up for debate.

"All activities and substances that make one think differently are in
some sense philosophical," said Smith. "Compared to religious dancing
or drinking alcohol [marijuana] is conducive to philosophic
thought-in moderation."