Outline Format

Topic: Rhetorical Analysis of the “The Weed Issue”

Purpose: To analyze how “The weed Issue” uses Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Extrinsic Values, Kairos, And a common place to convince America to Decriminalize of use of Marijuana

Thesis Statement: Through “The Weed Issue”,  Willie Nelson attempts to convince America into having an open mind for Marijuana by using Intrinsic and extrinsic values, Kairos, and a common place for the American people to accept the fact that Marijuana should be decriminalized.

Introduction
Attention Strategy: How will you begin this presentation in a way that appropriately garners audience attention?

What do Brad Pitt, Rhianna, Dave Chapelle, Morgan Freeman, George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Murray, Jenifer Anniston, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, all the Beatles, Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all have in common, besides being celebrities? They all have smoked pot. That’s only naming a few. Actors, Musicians, Late night T.V. show personalities, gold medal Olympic athletes, and leaders of the free world all have smoked a little, or a lot, of Marijuana in their life, yet they all turned out more than ok, hell one might say successful. What does this mean for them, what does this mean for America, what does this for you? America has come along way when it comes to accepting the use of Marijuana, both medicinally and recreationally. In the 60’s and 70’s, experts and officials had regarded Marijuana as a dangerous drug that should be avoided at all costs, today experts show years’ worth of research that is amplifies the benefits of Marijuana, regarding to it as a medicine, and some even saying, a cure for some illnesses. Leading the charge for the acceptance of Marijuana, is none other than Americas own, Willie Nelson, Who had his first joint at 15 years old, and after over 70 hazy years, can tell you with a smile and a sharp sense of wit that he has yet to experience any negative effects of consuming Marijuana or Marijuana products.

Orienting Material: Help audience understand what the topic is; contextualize

Preview: Give us a brief synopsis of what we can expect to hear from you—main points

Positive side effects of Marijuana
It is not as bad as people make it out to be, and some argue that it is better to smoke pot than to drink alcohol
The ability to escape from oneself
Inspired Musicians to write the songs of our generation
Economic benefits
Reduced crime

Body
I. Main Idea – The Intrinsic values
A. Support
1. Ethos- Willie Nelson as figure head, famous active country music star and stoner who still writes new material and preformed over 100 shows in 2018
2. Logos- people choose to inebriate themselves every day, why not marijuana? If these other substances carry risk, but people are willing to put them into their body, then why can’t someone smoke pot if that’s how they choose to unwind, we all have the right to choose. (Common Place)
3. Pathos- Willie himself used to be addicted cigarettes and alcohol and says that pot had saved his life. He had described himself as a mean drunk in an interview with Rolling Stone titled “Marijuana saved my life”. And that he would enter vicious cycles where he would drink and smoke and spiral into fits of rage. He said that he had he had lost his way and music had become boring, a chore even. He said that Marijuana had reignited the spark and inspiration that he had when he first had started out, he had regained his ambition.

II. Kairos
A. More and more states putting the question of legalizing Marijuana on the ballot, and a wave of acceptance is sweeping the nation as the

B. Protests all over the country, as well as celebrities who come out and talk about their pot usage, and how those who oppose pot have misguided views.

III. Main Idea – Extrinsic Values

A. States that pass said laws are reaping the benefits of legalized Marijuana. (Financial Benefits-Taxes as well as economic opportunities)

B. More and more research is coming out every day of the Medicinal properties of Marijuana and how they are being used to improve the lives of the common man, as well as those with serious illnesses.

Conclusion
Summary Statement – Remind us of the main points you addressed
Concluding Remark – A closing statement; last words

While I could reiterate my own points, I think it’s best to hear it from someone I see eye to blood shot eye with. Former Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson another advocate for the legalization of Marijuana, states in an interview with Stephen Colbert; “It makes the world a better place, On the medicinal side, Marijuana competes directly with legal prescription drugs that statistically kill a hundred thousand people a year, not one documented death due to Marijuana. And on the recreational side, legalizing marijuana in my opinion will lead to less overall substance abuse because it’s so much safer than everything else there starting with Alcohol.” While Johnson touches on the more logical and statistical points, Willie takes a more philosophical and emotional approach that rolls up his reasons for the legalization of Marijuana, in a short, put potent quote: “I think people need to be educated to the fact that Marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and flower. God put it here. If he put it here and he wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God Is Wrong? Pot isn’t the harmful, dangerous drug that it is made out to be, in fact it is the safest drug in both the illegal and legal markets. After all, as Bill Murray, the star in GhostBusters, Once said: “I find it ironic that the most dangerous thing about weed is getting caught with it.”. But the argument of Legalizing weed isn’t just about weed, its acceptance. Those in favor of pot also preach a powerful message about love, and world peace. They wish to live in a world that one can do what they desire, and not be persecuted for the decisions they make, or the things that they cannot control about themselves. No Pot smoker is ever going to force you to smoke Marijuana, because we respect your right to do what you want, but aren’t you a little curious of what the Buzz is all about? Thank you!

Reference Page(s)
Doyle, Patrick. “Willie Nelson: The High Life.” Rolling Stone, 1 May 2019, www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/willie-nelson-weed-issue-826290/#!
Krishna, Mrinalini. “The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Weed.” Investopedia, Investopedia, 25 June 2019, www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/110916/economic-benefits-legalizing-weed.asp.
Grinspoon, Peter. “Medical Marijuana.” Harvard Health Blog, 25 June 2019, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085.