GANJA DEBATE DRAWS CROWD

Marijuana was a hot topic Tuesday night as two experts debated legalization
of the widely used college drug. Steve Haser, former editor-in-chief of High
Times magazine, said the U.S. government should legalize marijuana for five
reasons, including its medicinal purpose and the variety of uses for hemp.
In addition, he pointed out how the decriminalization of marijuana would
lessen the crowding of prisons.

The drug, he said, is a part of a counter-culture, and carries religious
value.

"This criminal cartel around drugs, the reason they exist and are so
powerful is because drugs are illegal and they can charge so much money for
them," Haser said. "If marijuana was legal, we're talking about a crop like
corn or soybeans; we're not talking about $300 an ounce; we're talking about
$1 or $2 a pound."

But Robert Stutman, a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent, said if
marijuana was legalized, the United States would have more drug users than
it currently does. In addition, he said marijuana causes physical and
psychological dependence and interferes with people's ability to think. He
said recent studies show that smoking marijuana is a major contributor to
lung, mouth and esophageal cancers.

"I think within 10 years the U.S. will have some form of decriminalization
of marijuana, but it will never be legalized," Stutman said. "Most countries
that do legalize it tend to make it illegal again because of the dramatic
increase in its usage."

Haser offered to fund a trip for Stutman to Santa Cruz, Jamaica, in order to
let him experience marijuana firsthand. Stutman said he respectfully
declined.

Some students said they agree with Haser's position on the legalization of
marijuana, but acknowledged that Stutman's articulation was better in the
debate.

"I am pro-legalization, but I thought that Haser's style of debate was not
as effective as Stutman's," said sophomore Allie Archer. "It seemed as if
Stutman was more appealing to the dynamics of campus."

Other students said they agree with Stutman.

"I feel like the legalization of marijuana would lead to more severe drug
addictions that would cause more problems," said freshmen Melissa Kemper.

Haser said Vanderbilt should form a student organization supporting the
legalization of marijuana, and several students said they liked the idea.

The Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention organized the
debate, with the support of the Interfraternity Council and alcohol
management groups GAMMA and CHEERS.

Jeanine Atkinson, director of the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug
Prevention, said the event cost around $11,000, half of the office's budget.

"I think the debate was a success," she said. "I didn't take a head count,
but I think 600 people or more attended. The debate lasted from 8 p.m. until
about 9:40 p.m., and afterwards people were able to have discussions with
the speakers."