The Facts About Marijuana

Name: Andre Pessini

Title: The Facts About Marijuana

Organizational Pattern: Chronological

General Purpose: To Persuade

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that Marijuana should be legalized and regulated.

Central Idea: I will cover the common myths about Marijuana, The facts and research associated with marijuana use, and the benefits that legalization would bring.

Introduction: Popular Mechanics Magazine wrote an article that was in Vol. 69 February of 1938, No. 2, Titled - New Billion-Dollar Crop. It covered the machinery used to process hemp called the decorticator which allowed the processing of 2 to 3 tons of hemp per hour. It can be used to to pruduce strong twine or rope, woven in carpeting, or linoleum backing. The article talked about the thousands of hurds used every year by large powder companies for manufacturing of dynamite. The natural materials in hemp make is an economical source of pulp for any grade of paper manufactured, and the high percentage of alpha cellulose promises an unlimited supply of raw material for the thousands of cellulose products our chemists have developed. So what's the down side of hemp?? It can't be smoked for recreation. It has as much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as a dandelion.

Importance: This speech will uncover the facts of the drug and its history, as well as clarification on the information that has been taught to us.

Credibility: I am a husband of 6 years, father of two children, I will have my bachelors in accounting as of May 2011. I have had three jobs in my lifetime, I was a food service manager, and accountant, and now I run my own business. I am analytical, and unswayed by hype. It is on facts alone that I make my decisions, and the facts are what I will present to you today.

Preview: In this speech, you will learn the history about marijuana, the facts and research associated with its use, and the resultants of potential legalization.

I. First, Lets look into the history behind marijuana.

a. First Marijuana law was enacted in 1619 in Jamestown Colony, VA ordering farmers to grow hemp.

i. But what is Hemp? Hemp and marijuana are two different plants.

1. Hemp is a weed, its industrial, non-toxic, with no THC

2. Marijuana is also a weed, however it contains THC, a chemical when ingested gives feelings of Euphoria.

ii. Benjamin Franklin used hemp it to start his first paper mill.

iii. Queen Victoria used hemp oil to relieve her menstrual cramps.

b. Popular