Speech - Pers.- Marijuana Legalization
General purpose: To persuade
Specific purpose: To persuade my audience to vote for the legalization of marijuana.
Introduction
I. Ghanja, Funk, Kif, Cheeba, Endo, Grass, Herb, Skunk, Pot, Weed.
II. Statistically speaking, most of you have tried or actively smoke marijuana. I tried it once or twice, but I did not inhale. (Culture-Type)
III. I am a registered member of The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML.
IV. In the next few minutes, I 'll give a brief history of why marijuana is illegal, the cost to keep it that way and describe what you can do to remedy the situation.
TRANSITION: In order to find a solution, we have to get to the root of the problem.
Body
I. The criminalization of cannabis is costing citizens (Alliteration) and law enforcement, time and money. A. In summation of the (1)Transcripts of the Congressional Hearings for the Marihuana Tax Act, the United States first criminalized marijuana as a way to arrest Mexican immigrants, who were virtually the only ones using it in the early 20th century. It was said that marijuana produced a "reefer madness" that could turn people into violent, sex-crazed and irresponsible maniacs.
1. The prohibitionists even claimed it could give people almost superhuman powers.
2. (2) Washington Post Metro columnist Courtland Milloy was quoted saying, "Under the influence of this weed they have enormous strength it will take several men to handle one man while under ordinary circumstances one man could handle him with ease."
TRANSITION: Thus began the war on pot that would ultimately cost the American people more than they know.
B. Currently, marijuana arrests are at an all time high.
1. According to the Uniform (3) Crime Report released by the FBI, on average, a person is arrested on marijuana charges every 42 seconds.
2. American taxpayers are now spending more than a billion dollars annually to incarcerate its citizens for pot, according to the (4)
Specific purpose: To persuade my audience to vote for the legalization of marijuana.
Introduction
I. Ghanja, Funk, Kif, Cheeba, Endo, Grass, Herb, Skunk, Pot, Weed.
II. Statistically speaking, most of you have tried or actively smoke marijuana. I tried it once or twice, but I did not inhale. (Culture-Type)
III. I am a registered member of The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML.
IV. In the next few minutes, I 'll give a brief history of why marijuana is illegal, the cost to keep it that way and describe what you can do to remedy the situation.
TRANSITION: In order to find a solution, we have to get to the root of the problem.
Body
I. The criminalization of cannabis is costing citizens (Alliteration) and law enforcement, time and money. A. In summation of the (1)Transcripts of the Congressional Hearings for the Marihuana Tax Act, the United States first criminalized marijuana as a way to arrest Mexican immigrants, who were virtually the only ones using it in the early 20th century. It was said that marijuana produced a "reefer madness" that could turn people into violent, sex-crazed and irresponsible maniacs.
1. The prohibitionists even claimed it could give people almost superhuman powers.
2. (2) Washington Post Metro columnist Courtland Milloy was quoted saying, "Under the influence of this weed they have enormous strength it will take several men to handle one man while under ordinary circumstances one man could handle him with ease."
TRANSITION: Thus began the war on pot that would ultimately cost the American people more than they know.
B. Currently, marijuana arrests are at an all time high.
1. According to the Uniform (3) Crime Report released by the FBI, on average, a person is arrested on marijuana charges every 42 seconds.
2. American taxpayers are now spending more than a billion dollars annually to incarcerate its citizens for pot, according to the (4)
References: (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 08, 2007, from http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/hemp/taxact/taxact.htm Transcripts of the Congressional Hearings for the Marihuana Tax Act. Debra J. Saunders, (2005, Oct. 20). Retrieved Mar. 08, 2007, from http://www.mpp.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=glKZLeMQIsG&b=1847069&ct=2763883 Harvard economist Jeffrey A FBI, (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 08, 2007, from http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm Uniform Crime Report Hannah Rasmussen, (n.d.). Retrieved Mar. 08, 2007, from http://economics.about.com/od/incometaxestaxcuts/a/legalize_pot.htm Report by Jeffery A NIDA, (2006, Sept. 15). Retrieved Mar. 08, 2007, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/Marijuana2.html#scope National Institute on Drug Abuse Sam Lee, (2003, Dec. 03). Retrieved Mar. 08, 2007, from http://www.hypocritae.com/?ART=119 Washington Post Metro columnist Courtland Milloy