[Sad Panda]

I agree with Digit, though. How you speak to people who are already inclined to join your cause and how you speak to people who are not so inclined is completely different. Don't start with the government propoganda/conspiracy theory/why not? angle. Start with the big guns, that even people who are against recreational smoking will have to agree with.

Here's about the order you should mention things:

1) Industrial hemp, which has neligible amounts of THC, is easier and faster to grow, and is much stronger and more durable than cotton.
2) Medicinal marijuana. Sometimes the only thing keeping a sick patient being able to swallow food to survive is smoking mary jane -- for many people, all of the perscription drugs out there don't do a goddamn thing.
3) Amount of money the government spends throwing people in jail as opposed to treating small amounts as a civil offense. Also mention the NUMBER of people in jail for this.
4) Pot is less dangerous than alcohol, nicotine, advil, and most prescription drugs. (mention that not a SINGLE person has ever died from pot use alone).
5) Then you can start talking about "Why the fuck is the government stopping us from getting high? Marijuana is a wonderful plant, etc. etc." in other words, the argument stoners have with each other when they're bitching about the laws.

Maybe somewhere in there you can mention the atmosphere the 1937 prohibition law was created under. Don't know where that would go. The point is, start with the strongest and least controversial arguments FIRST so the person doesn't just tune you out as "another stupid stoner nutjob".