COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 11, 2020

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of December 11, 2020

Analysis of Drug Reform News at the end of this Congressional Session:  The much-discussed MORE Act to essentially repeal the 1937 federal prohibition of marijuana law was passed narrowly in the House and died in the Senate.  The MORE Act would repeal the 37 law plus several ideas to repair some of the harms done to citizens, mostly of color, over the past 80 years.  Because it was not a simple repeal bill, it only received five (5) Republican votes, instead of about 60.  I should note that a careful analysis of Senate offices showed some sixteen (16) Republicans ready to vote for a clean, 10^th Amendment bill.

The question arises in 2021; is it necessary to pass the MORE Act in order to repeal the federal prohibition.  For minor reasons, the MORE Act should become law.  For the major reason of allowing the States to choose their own path, it is not.  Why?   In the past seven (7) years neither the Obama, nor the Trump administration interfered with the 46 States which have MJ legalized and regulated in some fashion.

Thus, in the main, the goal of COP these past 11 years has been met, by default.  Therefore, in September 2020 COP shifted its focus to the concept on national, decriminalization of all drugs.  This focus will continue in 2021.  Note:  I have some eleven (11) colleagues, lobbyists in DC working full-time to pass the MORE Act.  They will succeed without me.

Activity this week:

3446 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 08 this week

1 meeting – Grover Norquist center right

206 interviews and reports in minor media …01 this week..Michigan podcast interview

COP stats since inception: August 2009

90 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
327 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
397 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org