HIGH TIMES EDITOR FACES U.S. DRUG AGENT

It was immediately evident when they stepped on stage Tuesday that the
two speakers in the Great Debate on the legalization of marijuana
could not have had less in common.

Former Drug Enforcement Agency agent Robert Stutman, a stocky man with
a shaved head who said he rides a motorcycle, was introduced as the
"most famous narc in America" by moderator Jack Zupko, a philosophy
professor and director of undergraduate studies in the philosophy department.

His opponent, High Times Editor in Chief Steve Hager, a thin man with
shoulder-length gray hair and faded jeans, was introduced as the "most
famous pothead in America."

The duo, who has travelled together to other universities debating
marijuana use and the war on drugs, spoke passionately in defense of
both positions. But Stutman said they were careful to never attack
each other personally.

In opening remarks and in response to audience questions, Hager cited
the practical uses of marijuana, such as the alleviation of many
diseases and the creation of hemp clothing. He also defended marijuana
use on cultural and religious grounds, saying it is an intricate part
of his and other people's beliefs.

"Can I get a little freedom of religion in America?" he asked.

Stutman said marijuana should remain illegal because most Americans
oppose legalization and doctors question whether its benefits outweigh
its harms.

"Just because it's natural doesn't make it good," he said. "Any doctor
who tells you to smoke stuff for your health is a fool."

More than 800 people attended the debate in Glenn Memorial Auditorium,
many of them clapping and cheering in support of the debaters.

Hager and Stutman did agree that the government should not jail people
who use illegal substances. Instead, Stutman said the government
should focus on prevention and treatment.

"It's stupid public policy to throw people in prison for the use of
any drugs," he said.

Hager responded by saying he wished Stutman had agreed to serve as the
"drug czar," the leader of the Office of National Drug Control Policy,
a position that Stutman has turned down three times.

"There's an endorsement that would get me nowhere with this
administration," Stutman joked.

Hager complained that many prescription drugs, which also cause
dependency, are legal.

"Nobody sees any problem with 159 million prescriptions last year for
antidepressants," he said.

Stutman aggressively rebutted Hager's points, arguing that the number
of marijuana users would increase tenfold if the drug was made legal.
He also said that most legalization supporters "don't give one damn"
about its medical value and simply want the drug legalized for
recreational use.

Hager conceded that marijuana should not be used at certain times. As
a father, he said, he has learned not to use the drug when parenting.
He also told students to "put aside breakfast bong hits" in order to
focus on their education.

Responding to Hager’s suggestion that Emory create a chapter of the
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, a College junior
volunteered after the debate to organize an on-campus effort to legalize
marijuana.

College Council Vice President Feras Akbik, who helped plan the
debate, said it exceeded his expectations. Akbik, who was recently
elected College Council president, hopes to make the Great Debate an
annual College Council event.

College freshman Matthew LeVine, who claims to have used marijuana,
says it should be legalized because the culture of marijuana use
doesn't harm society.

"I believe that all the arguments that are stocked up against
marijuana stem from propaganda," he said.

College senior Kevin Bleier said he has never used the drug and was
unsure of whether or not it should be legalized.

"People should choose not to smoke marijuana," he said. "[But] I'm not
going to enforce my will upon them."