LEGALITY OF MARIJUANA SPARKS STUDENT DEBATE

Students' minds lit up during the first of several debates hosted by
University of Louisville Properties.

Groups for and against legalizing marijuana debated last Tuesday
night in Kurz Hall.

Sgt. Steve Salyers of the Louisville Metro Police Narcotics/Vice unit
moderated the event, and a panel of university faculty, staff and
students, including a representative from the Commonwealth Attorney's
Office, judged it.

"I coordinated this program to encourage residents to explore a hot
button topic in a different manner that gives them access to both
sides of an issue," said Lamont Johnson, assistant community manager
for ULP. "It will also help students develop good research and public
speaking skills."

"The fact we're bringing up controversial issues to educate students,
will help people open up their minds and start thinking critically,"
said Nathan Parthasarathy, a junior chemistry major and legalization proponent.

About 50 people listened to the opinions. The pro-legalization side
emphasized the medicinal and economical benefits gained from the
decriminalization of marijuana. In contrast, the opposing side
stressed the theory that marijuana is a gateway drug to "harder,"
more dangerous drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

Parthasarathy opened the debate by touting the therapeutic benefits
of the plant. Sophomore Tyler Kilgore, a biology major, rebutted by
citing several studies which claim marijuana is a dangerous
carcinogen. The United States should not legalize another
cancer-causing drug, Kilgore said.

"I thought the [arguments] as a whole [were] a little disappointing
because the side against legalization seemed to be lacking the
appropriate knowledge to bring a decent argument to the table," said
James Allsbrook, a freshman electrical engineering major. "The
pro-legalization side definitely took the win by a long-shot."

The judging panel agreed, and the pro-legalization side emerged as
the victors of the first ULP debate.

"The debate was a great success, I hope this is an implication of
what will occur in the future," Kilgore said.

For complete listings of the student and judging panels, visit
www.louisvillecardinal.com.