SPEAKERS TO DEBATE POT LEGALIZATION

Event Intentionally Held On 4-

Marijuana. Mary Jane, Pot, Weed, Chronic, the good ol' green stuff -
people know what it is.

The question is whether or not it should be legal.

The Campus Activities Board will be hosting "Heads vs. Feds, The
Great Debate - Marijuana Legalization" at 7 tonight in DUC Theater.

Steven Hager, editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, will represent
the "Heads" advocating the legalization of marijuana.

Bob Stutman, a retired DEA agent, will represent the "Feds"
advocating the criminalization of marijuana.

The date of the event is not a coincidence.

"The fact that the debate is on 4-20 will raise more awareness," said
Michael Schultz, Louisville freshman and CAB webmaster. "The date
might seem like a joke to some people, but it'll help get the word
out. This day will get people talking about the event."

The most celebrated day to light up is April 20, also known as 4-20.
There are several legends behind this, according to marijuana.com.

One legend says that 4:20 on a clock resembles a hand putting an
instrument into a mouth, as if someone was smoking.

Another legend says that marijuana burns at 420 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some believe that marijuana grew free and wild on Highway 420 in the
United States during the 1960s. Though there are several rumors about
the creation and origin of 4-20, no one has an exact truth as to why
the day is so special to weed lovers.

Louisville senior Daniel Trujillo, the CAB vice president, said Heads
vs. Feds is designed to educate and inform students.

"We want to cover all sides, not to say which side is right or
wrong," Trujillo said. "Overall, we just want to educate people on
the whole issue."

This debate dates back to the 1930s, when several marijuana opponents
argued that the drug was negatively affecting society.

In 1937, regulatory laws were passed and criminal penalties came
about for the growth, possession or sale of the drug.

Those in favor of marijuana legalization argue that it is a stress
reliever and pacifies individuals. They also claim it is less harmful
than alcohol and cigarettes and that no one has ever died from it.

Many believe legalization will result in reduced crime rates because
there will be no underground culture for the drug. Pro-legalizers
also argue that legalizing marijuana will improve the economy because
legalization would allow the government to place a tax on it.

Anti-legalizers argue that crime rates will increase because
inhibitions will be lowered. They also say marijuana is a gateway
drug that will eventually lead to harsher drug usage.

Denver took the first steps in the direction of legalization in
November 2005. Citizens of the city over the age of 21 are allowed to
possess one ounce for personal use in the city. Underage citizens
possessing marijuana and people possessing more than the legal limit
will still face criminal charges.

Louisville senior Terrance Harris is the lecture chair for CAB and is
responsible for bringing diverse speakers and a wide array of events
to Western.

He said the event will be interesting because it will give students
the opportunity to understand both sides of the argument.

"The purpose of the event is to inform people about marijuana,"
Harris said. "It's not necessarily to change their minds, but to have
them look at it from a different spectrum."