LEGALIZE IT?

The debates between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry will
not be the only heated debates this October. The recurring debate of
the legalization of marijuana will continue tonight at the Jorgensen
Auditorium at 8 p.m.

Steve Hager, editor of the notorious High Times magazine, will take on
Drug Enforcement Administration veteran Robert Stutman covering a
number of issues surrounding the legalization of marijuana.

The two opponents will argue over whether marijuana should be applied
in today's society for medicinal or spiritual purposes. In past
debates, Hager has adamantly supported the drug's medicinal use
stating it is not the cure, but an aid in physical and mental recovery
for patients.

According to his biography on Wolfman Productions' Web site, Hager's
goal is to "establish the counterculture as a legitimate minority
group whose basic rights of freedom of religion and pursuit of
happiness have been denied."

Stutman, on the other hand, is very concerned about the future of the
nation and believes that usage of marijuana would increase if it were
legalized.

Since High Times' first issue in 1988, Hager has been the Editor-in-Chief
and has created numerous events surrounding the controversial plant,
including the Academy Awards of Marijuana and the Cannabis Cup, both held
in Amsterdam. His book, "Adventures in the Counterculture: From Hip Hop to
High Times," also was released by the High Times Press.

The two polar opposites will, at the beginning of the debate, present
opening statements. After they both finish their statements, the
audience will be allowed to participate and ask questions.

Over Stutman's 25-year career with the DEA, approximately 5,000
investigations regarding drugs were launched. Stutman's work led to
numerous rewards from various law enforcement agencies throughout the
country. He is now Chairman and CEO of Substance Abuse Technologies,
Inc. as well as a special consultant on substance abuse to the CBS
News.

This event has swept the nation, crowding auditoriums at many
universities along the east coast including Virginia Tech, the
University of South Carolina and Penn College of Technology.