UMASS DEBATE GOES TO POT

DARTMOUTH -- In arguing their sides of the debate on legalizing
marijuana, two experts weren't exactly blowing smoke.

Instead Steven Hager, editor-in-chief of High Times magazine and
Robert Stutman, a former special agent in charge of the Drug
Enforcement Agency's New York City office, provided students at the
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with arguments on an issue that
has been waged for years.

Hager, playing to a group of strong marijuana proponents, started off
the night telling the crowd there are five good reasons for the
legalization of the drug.

Drawing on the medicinal argument, Hager claimed the pharmaceutical
industry wants to keep the drug illegal because it would run them out
of business once the public learned how to grow the product
themselves, in turn eliminating the need for many of the synthetic
drugs produced by large companies.

"The pharmaceutical industry doesn't like marijuana and you know
why?," Hager asked rhetorically. "Because once I hand you a seeded
marijuana flower, I'm handing you drugs for the rest of your life."

He continued by speaking of the benefits hemp products have over
counterparts such as cotton, the burden marijuana-related arrests have
on the jail system, the corruption it causes, as a $500 million
illegal drug trade, and the role the drug plays in his peaceful lifestyle.

In response, however, Stutman called Hager's argument his "opinion
as facts," saying the reality is most people want marijuana legalized
because it is their recreational drug of choice.

During his opening statement, Stutman did acknowledge the medicinal
benefits of marijuana, once the two medically effective chemicals in
the drug are removed from the 433 other chemicals that are the source
of carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.

Stutman also told the crowd he agrees no one should be put in jail
for using drugs, but he argued that hemp products have basically been
phased out.

He also warned legalizing the drug would lead to more motor vehicle
accidents, due to the effects on depth perception and that it would
also increase the number of users.

After making their opening statements, Hager and Stutman took 10
questions from students, that among attacks on Stutman, often focused
on the economics of legalization and just why marijuana is not legal.

One student asked why the government is able to make billions off
alcohol but won't do the same with marijuana.

Stutman pointed out that $9 billion was collected off the taxing of
alcohol in the United States in 2005, but $21 billion was spent by
Medicare and Medicaid for alcohol treatment services.

In end, though, Hager told the students marijuana has to be respected
if it is ever going to be legalized.

"Remember the less you do the higher you get," Hager said. "It's not
appropriate to be high all the time. ...If you're taking breakfast bong
hits before heading off to your calculus exam then you are not part of the
solution you are part of the problem."