[Sativa]

Whether you are straight-laced and against the legalization of marijuana, an advocate for the drug's medical purposes, or a hippie-type looking to spark up without breaking the law, a debate at Austin Peay State University could prove interesting.

The APSU Govs Programming Council is sponsoring a discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Morgan University Ballroom on the legalization of pot.

The debaters? High Times editor Steve Hager and Bob Stutman, a former officer with the New York City Drug Enforcement Agency.

APSU Student Life and Leadership Assistant Director Shaun Ketterman said the event was chosen by a group of students on a new programming council launched this year.

According to the debate Web page, listed as a part of the Wolfman Productions Web site, both members of the Wednesday debate are well-versed in the subject matter. Hager has been editor in chief of High Times on and off since 1988. He founded the Cannabis Cup and the national Hemp Tour — a hemp legalization movement.

Stutman first became a drug agent in 1965 and has been featured on television shows and channels such as 48 Hours, Today, CBS, PBS and Good Morning America.

The debaters will not only go over the pros and cons of legalization but also will give a multimedia presentation, debate and have a question-and-answer session with the audience. The event is open to the public, but only 600 seats will be available for the event, on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We were looking for big name, high profile projects to come to campus," Ketterman said. "This is the one that the students chose."

Other events the group has planned included a magic show last month and a comedy show scheduled for April 18. While Ketterman had wanted to begin a new programming council for some time, it was the support of new student life director Heidi Scheusner that got the ball rolling.

Newshawk: CoZmO - 420Magazine.com
Source: Tennessean.com (Tennessee)
Author: MELISSA TYNDALL
Copyright: 2007 tennessean.com
Website: Nashville, Tennessee news from The Tennessean