A Guide to Talking Cannabis

Words By YES2020

Introduction to YES2020:

We are a non-partisan campaign with a mission to empower people with the skills and resources to have evidence-based conversations surrounding the Cannabis Referendum.

The Cannabis Referendum is steeped in misconception and racist half-truths, which is why it is important that we are having these important evidence-based discussions in the leadup to the referendum. 

Over 39% of ‘persuadable’ voters in the Abortion Referendum in Ireland were ultimately swayed by conversations they had with their friends and families. We believe that building on existing relationships and connecting with our communities to have those difficult and uncomfortable conversations will be how we can achieve a YES outcome for the 2020 Cannabis Referendum. 

Key steps to having a values-based discussion about cannabis:

Know your subject

It’s important that you are prepared for any possible counter-arguments you may face. You can check out our instagram for some great infographics and posts breaking down the proposed bill and exactly what a vote for yes will mean in Aotearoa. 

Pick your moment

Are you in the mood to talk? Are they? Make sure you catch them at a good time to ensure best effectiveness.

Start by listening

Make sure you understand their concerns so you can respond effectively. You want to open the discussion
to understand, not to convince.

Values based discussion

Find a shared value. The more common ground the two of you have, the more likely you are to listen and try to understand where each other is coming from. From experience, older family members are primarily concerned with the health effects of legalising cannabis. Find a way to acknowledge their concern, while also advancing your view. 

Stay calm, polite, and keep it light.

It’s never easy discussing topics you may disagree on. Understanding and changed minds will never happen in hostile environments. If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a break and pick it up later.

Have a discussion, not an argument.

Explore ideas together, don’t just tell them what to think. You want to build off one another with personal stories and facts. No one is ever convinced by another someone simply asserting their opinion. 

Encourage them to do their own research.

It’s not your job to provide them with all of the facts, but you can point them in the right direction. Health not Handcuffs, the Drug Foundation, and the YES 2020 websites all have information accessible to anyone. 

Choose your most convincing arguments.

The strongest overall point is that legalisation will reduce cannabis related harms. However, you can tailor this to whoever you’re having a conversation with. Talk to your Young-Nat pals about the economic benefits of cannabis, or talk about harm-reduction to the Karens in your life. 

People will likely care more if they know why they should.

Are there any personal facts or stories about cannabis related harms you could share?