Marijuana Legalization: The next step or one step too far? A panel and debate Panel: Wed., April 27, 4:30pm, Forum South Lounge Debate: Thurs., April 28, 7:30pm, Forum South Lounge
Description: A panel discussion providing context and information on legal, historical, enforcement, health, economic, and public policy issues surrounding this question will precede a debate on the topic the following day. Both events will inform students and provoke discussion on whether or not marijuana should be legalized and what the effects may be in either case.

SCIPE is organizing a discussion panel and debate in April on the legalization of marijuana. Topics covered during the panel and debate will include the case law surrounding legalization, the history of both pro and con movements, a medical perspective, and current political conflicts and social consequences. The panel will provide students with thorough background knowledge, preparing them to attend a debate on the subject the following day.
The panel and debate are representative of SCIPE's multipartisan efforts to facilitate political discourse by drawing on a broad range of views with the intent of increasing student awareness and engagement with politics at local, national, and international levels.

Panelists:
Gail Boliver is a trial lawyer in Marshalltown, Iowa, with experience in drug-related cases. His Masters Thesis at Iowa State University was entitled "Drugs, Money, and the New Vietnam."
Grinnell Police Officer - No available bio at this time.
Mark Montgomery is Professor of Economics at Grinnell College.

Pro-Legalization - Allen St. Pierre is Executive Director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, and has written, debated, and lectured extensively on the topic of cannabis. He has appeared in hundreds of news publications, nationally televised news programs, and radio shows promoting NORML's agenda for marijuana law reform. He also serves as founding Executive Director of the NORML Foundation, a complimentary legal, research, and educational organization.

Anti-Legalization - Robert Stutman is the former head of the New York City office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, where he served for 25 years and launched more than 5,000 investigations. He is now a leading advocate for drug prevention and education, a regular consultant and contributor to national TV news programs, and "the foremost narc in America," according to New York Magazine.

See the following links for information about marijuana legalization.
Pro-Legalization: National Orginization for the Reform of marijuana Laws
Anti-Legalization: United States Department of Justice: Drug Enforcement Administration