Outline

Intro
       Mass Acceptance is changing marijuana's image in America. Just a few years ago, marijuana legalization seemed like a pipe dream, but today it appears to be the next course of action. Maybe it's because the government's lies have been brought to the attention of the public or maybe it's because there are many benefits to legalization and none of the alleged risks have proven substantive . The truth of the matter is that prohibition has never worked to reduce consumption or reduce crime. In fact during the era of alcohol prohibition people were drinking more than ever and the crime syndicates that grew up around prohibition wreaked havoc on society for years to come.


Marijuana should be legal because it has these benefits...
Medical
       Marijuana has been used to treat a variety of diseases including AIDS and Cancer. Unfortunately, in order to acquire their medicine, patients have to deal with the black market. This not only makes it difficult to find their medicine when they need it, but it exposes them to other risks as well. Currently, patients in Massachusetts can't even receive medical marijuana at a hospital. Instead, they are force-fed harmful chemicals with many side effects and made to endure hazardous treatments like chemo therapy.




Social

       Marijuana is accepted by more people now than it has been since its defamation in the 30s. Extensive testing on the hazards of marijuana in society have been performed and no clear evidence of any threat has been determined. In fact, reducing the priority of marijuana law enforcement has been shown to reduce consumption. Let's see what some people on the street have to think about marijuana prohibition...

Interview Questions
Do you think marijuana should be legalized?

Have you ever tried marijuana?
Did you enjoy it?

What are your opinions on federal intervention in states where marijuana is legal?


As we've heard... -summarize the thoughts of the people interviewed-

http://www.masscann.org/masscann/freedom-rally/426-22nd-freedom-rally-video

They are not alone in their disappointment with the government's marijuana policies. Every year on Boston Common MassCann, with the help of NORML, holds the "Freedom Rally" where tens of thousands of people congregate and indulge in civil disobedience by lighting up in public.

Freedom Rally pics: http://thephoenix.com/boston/life/127051-photos-freedom-rally-2011-at-boston-common/?page=2#TOPCONTENT


Economic
     Marijuana legalization and taxation would generate an estimated $100B a year in revenues and would provide a cheap, renewable source of natural fibers for making clothing and paper and millions of other everyday products. Add that to the money saved on law enforcement and the court and prison systems and you have a sizable increase in revenue.
Film in the financial district -or- find pictures of banks online


Civil Rights
Our country was built on the morals of liberty and freedom and those ideals still survive today, although barely. In addition to the facts, marijuana prohibition is unjust. How can the government arrest someone for growing a weed. On that logic, God grows grass. Should he be arrested too? Apple seeds contain Amygdalin, a deadly poison, yet they're OK to sell. All that marijuana prohibition has done is it make criminals out of innocent people. Marijuana shouldn't be scary - because it's not. This country has used cannabis since it's inception; many of our founding documents were even printed on hemp paper. Instead of saying "as American as apple pie", people should say "As American as cannabis".


Counter-argument
The Federal government says pot is bad...
     Even with all the evidence against any real threat posed by marijuana legalization and the medical, economic and social benefits, the Federal government still persists on keeping marijuana on Schedule I, the most restrictive drug schedule, along with heroin, LSD, and Ecstasy. Fortunately the states refuse to yield to the will of the federal mandates and many have legalized its use for medical purposes in defiance of of the national government. Right now Massachusetts has a medical marijuana bill on the November ballot and another bill pushing for full legalization working it's way through the State House.

City Hall

Rebuttal
They’re wrong because...
    To date, sixteen states and Washington D.C. have legalized marijuana for medicinal use and thirteen have decriminalized. The federal government has been dragging its feet for too long on this issue and the y need to act now. Marijuana doesn't belong on Schedule I and federal drug laws should not be enforced in states where they're breaking no laws. Lives are endangered and unneeded stress is added to everyone's lives as a result. The times are changing and America is changing its stance on drug policy. Marijuana is not an evil drug, it's a natural herb with medicinal qualities, a clear distinction must be made.

Conclusion
     Understanding that marijuana poses no threats and only seems to have a beneficial effect on the economy and society, should alleviate some of the fear surrounding it. Marijuana needs to be accepted in Massachusetts, America, and across the globe for what it is and not what lobbyists and politicians preach it to be. Mass Acceptance wants to change the minds of millions by exposing them to the truth and dispelling their fears about a useful product. Join us on 4/20 for our {Direct Action}

Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. Federal Building

Corporation for National Service
Department of Agriculture; APHIS/PPQ; Food & Nutrition Service
Department of Commerce; Export Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security; Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Department of Housing & Urban Development
Department of Justice; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
Department of Labor; Office of Administrative Law Judges
Department of State; U.S. Passport Agency; U.S. Diplomatic Security Service
Department of the Treasury; Internal Revenue Service
Federal Labor Relations Authority
General Services Administration
Government Accountability Office
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
National Labor Relations Board
Peace Corps
Small Business Administration
Social Security Administration
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration[2]


John F. Kennedy Federal Building

Scott Brown, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts[4]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services[5]
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services[6]
U.S. Department of Labor
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs[7]
U.S. Immigration Court[8]
U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Taxpayer Service Division
U.S. Social Security Administration[9]
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
U.S. Federal Protective Service

5-minute video - outline

Intro


Marijuana should be legal because it has these benefits...
   Medical
     Interview patients
     Film hospitals

   Social
     Interview random people, friends, politicians
     Film Freedom Rally location empty and try to borrow footage

   Economic
     Film in the financial district
     Film rich/poor neighborhoods

   Civil Rights

The Federal government says pot is bad...
   Film the State House
   Film Federal buildings
   City Hall

They’re wrong because...


Conclusion