Human nature drives us to be very tribalistic sometimes. We often view the world as us vs. them and this is hindering our progress on a number of issues, not the least of which is cannabis legalization.
Marijuana is often viewed, in the media and in popular culture, as a liberal issue. There, admittedly, is some truth to this but I firmly believe that there legions of conservatives who are ready and willing to be marijuana activists and, further, with their help we can bring about true legalization. All we need to do is be willing to engage with their community, make some compromises, and sell the issue to them in a way that resonates with their values.
The first thing you need to do if you want to sell the idea of marijuana legalization to conservatives is understand what they are all about in a way that is respectful of their beliefs and concerns. Leave your prejudices at home and talk to these people. Try to find out what issues they care about so you can tailor your arguments to fit their world-view.
Once you know what the conservatives want to hear you can give it to them. If they care about "big government" point out how much of an overreach it is to prohibit what a person puts in their own body. If they talk about the constitution and the founders, bring up that federal drug laws are likely unconstitutional and that the founders grew and used cannabis themselves. If they care about guns talk about how the federal government prohibits legal medical marijuana patients from owning guns. Just think on your feet and your argument into something they like. It doesn't matter how you feel bout guns, "big government," and the founders. You can argue about that stuff later. All you need to do is bring them to our side on one issue, so put everything else aside for a little while.
Get past the idea of working with people you disagree with. I know it can be hard. I know that there is bad blood on both sides. I know that you might not want to forgive but if we are going to move forward we need to reconcile our differences and stand united against the drug warriors because they do not care about our politics, or our values. Our disagreements, our feuds, and everything about all of us is meaningless to them. We are their product that they want to sell to the prisons, we are the chattel that they will enslave, and we are the meat that sustains their gluttony. To win this fight we must unite. Only when liberal and conservative stand together will we move forward to the future we all deserve.
That's what I think anyway. I'd like to know your thoughts and suggestions so feel free to comment and if you think others should hear this message and you don't mind passively endorsing it, give this a resteem.
Peace