This is the format that my speech needs to follow. I'll give you my ideas so far. I also need to use a PowerPoint presentation.

INTRODUCTION

Attention Getter: Thinking of using this chart on a PP slide

.................................Annual Deaths in U.S.
Tobacco........................435,000
Alcohol............................85,000
All Illicit Drugs...................17,000
Anti-Inflammatory OTC.........7,600
Marijuana.................................0

Purpose/Topic: To encourage people to support marijuana legalization.
Motivation (Why audience should listen to me): ???

BODY

First Main Point: War on Drugs
1. War on Drugs is not effective
2. $12 billion annually spent
3. MJ use has remained stable even with much more spent on prohibition.
4. Drug use INCREASED 7 fold among 12-17 year olds after the modern War on Drugs started. The economics of prohibition favors the targeting of youths. Drug dealers don't ask for ID.


Second Main Point: ???? Maybe Amsterdam, MJ use lower among underage users than in U.S?

Third Main Point: Myths

1. "There are lots of people in rehab for marijuana use, it must be addictive"''''

I will note that It is true that marijuana is psychologically addictive, just like any other activity that is enjoyable. "If I enjoyed it, I'll do it again"

refute: Most, if not all marijuana users in rehab are there because it was a choice between that and jail-time/criminal record.

Unlike tobacco, marijuana is not physically addictive, which is said to be harder to quit that cocaine, and alcohol, whose withdrawal can be deadly if not treated.


2. "Marijuana is a gateway drug"

This is just my opinion, but I think there are 2 reasons marijuana could be considered a gateway drug, and how they could be fixed.

a. People are told all throughout shcool (DARE programs, etc.) how terrible marijuana is. They try it, and say "hey, I didn't get addicted, I didn't kill anybody, I didn't die myself, they've been lying to me about marijuana. I bet they've been lying about other drugs as well." So people try them out.

b. Because marijuana is illegal, this forces people to turn to the black market to get their pot. This opens up a whole new world where there is access to all types of harder drugs.

3. Unsure of what to use for third myth.

Restate Purpose: Encourage support of MJ legalization

Summary: "I've shown you some key points about why marijuana should be legalized, as well as exposed some of the myths you may have heard about marijuana."

Closure: ?? What would be a good closing statement to really leave an impact on the audience?

Thank you guys so much for your help.