COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of April 21, 2023

Stories from the week of April 21, 2023

 Fun Week/Productive Week:

On 4/20 SAM (Sensible Approaches to Marijuana) held a conference at a theater in DC.  I paid the $250 to attend and I was all dressed up to go!  Sadly, the conference decided later to refund my money.  Discouraged? yes.  John Gilmore urged me to go to the venue and cause trouble, so I did.

• Wearing my signature “COPS SAY LEGALIZE POT”…I stood at the front door, so just about all of the 80 attendees were able to read it.
• When Kevin Sabet (Mr. SAM) popped thru the outer door, we made eye contact and I greeted him with a warm, “Morning Kevin!” He did not respond.. LOL
• During my 90 minute adventure – some studiously avoided my greetings and scurried past to enter the building.
• Near the end, I woman exited her taxi with a broad smile, read my shirt, scowled, and although I opened then nearest door for her and her suitcase on wheels, she chose to open the middle door by herself! LOL
• At the end I entered the building and was confronted by the guy (as it turns out) who had googled me and then decided to refund my $250.. I confirmed I was personal non grata, exited and went to the Senate for 3 meetings with staffers.
• No media whatsoever….shucks. and I did polish my buckle and wore my good hat!

Not Encouraged:  I met with Schumer’s people this week.  Suffice to say, I do not, did not smell compromise in the air, in order to put something on Biden’s desk.  Sadness.

Weekly Activities:

3991  Presentations to Congressional staffers… 9 this week…

360 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week….    Senator Warren (D-MA)

COP stats since inception: August 2009

109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.

439 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

96 Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –

33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria),  LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

in the past – Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)

To send a check:

COP

POB 543

Buckeystown, MD  21717

COP on the Hill:

Stories from the week of April 14, 2023

Solid Question: Difficult/Painful Answer:

For the first time in the history of the world, a staffer asked me, if I had had a moment/epiphany in my career that caused me to become anti- drug war.  This after 20 minutes of xcl discussion on the drug war.  I paused and related the story (see below) and SOB, I choked up, hard.  I went on to state that my profession was missing pedophiles, as we wasted so much time on drugs, choking up again, damn near in tears.

He then related being an assistant District Attorney in a very large city.  One of the first cases he caught involved child porn (story below: Trigger Warning – it is v v ugly).  Both of us became emotional and we had a long pause, before we finished the chat.

The Good News is that I am still able to be a human being from time to time versus a robot going from presentation to presentation, now more than 5,000 since I arrive here in 2005.

Weekly Activities:

3982 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 4 this week…

COP stats since inception: August 2009

359 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week….

109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.

439 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

96 Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –

33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria),  LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

in the past – Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)

To send a check:

COP

POB 543

Buckeystown, MD  21717

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of April 7, 2023

Stories from the week of April 7, 2023

We Need a Win – Booker and Compromise:

I had an extra long (50 minutes) and fruitful discussion with the Senator’s CJ aide.  Though it was my first time with the new guy, I had had four xcl chats with his predecessor.  The new guy is much like my old contact.

In summary, I asked that his boss become willing to accept 70-80% of what he wants (for COP it is principally to deschedule MJ, thus making it a States Rights issue).  Much back and forth.  On the banking bill (SAFE) – Most Senators, including Booker and Schumer are aware that people are dying in armed robberies of MJ stores.

Last, like all Democratic offices, I asked that the Senator openly declare that the War on Drugs/War on People of Color should end and introduce legislation to move that concept (Decrim all drugs for personal amounts, like Oregon did two years ago).

As the Dems were unwilling to compromise the last two years, no laws were changed.

Such decisions/changes will reveal themselves in the coming months.

The Congress is in Recess for two weeks.

Weekly Activities:

3978 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 7 this week…

COP stats since inception: August 2009

359 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week….

109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.

439 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

96 Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –

33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria),  LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

in the past – Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)

To send a check:

COP

POB 543

Buckeystown, MD  21717

COP on the Hill:   Stories from the week of March 31, 2023

Stories from the week of March 31, 2023

It was a kick to be consulted: “Thank you for contributing to Meta’s (Facebook) policy development on “Non-Medical Drugs in Religious or Traditional Contexts”…it was regarding Ayahuasca

We all need a great day from time to time:  My Wednesday

• Rode up the elevator with Senator Rounds of SD..30 second chat
• Steps of the Capitol yielded chats with 2 Congressman
• Contacted by Univision and gave my first interview for them en español ..about 6 minutes
• At a cannabis reception/soiree I had a great 10-minute chat with an NBC reporter
• Same place I had an excellent chat with aide to Linda Sanchez (D- CA) en español,
• On my way out of the building and headed to the Metro to go home, there was a briefing by the Swiss embassy. Four of their staffers were at the tables, checking in attendees…not able to resist the opportunity, I chatted away in German & French the next 5 minutes…woohoo!!

Weekly Activities:

3971 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 10 this week…

359 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week….   Senator Rounds (R-SD), CMan Hern (R-OK), CMan Hudson (R-NC)

109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 01 This week. Univision

439 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   01 this week   (Cory Gardner, x Senator (R) of Colorado

1 conference ( NCIA hosted a briefing and reception for MJ folks)

COP stats since inception: August 2009

96 Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –

33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria),  LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

in the past – Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)

To send a check:

COP

POB 543

Buckeystown, MD  21717

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of March 24, 2023

Stories from the week of March 24, 2023

I like your hat.   I remember your hat:

I was a few minutes early for a meeting with the aide to Senator Blackburn (R-TN).  Two women entered the small reception area.  After a few moments one said, “I like your hat.”  Thank you I replied, “you should see the horse that goes under it.”  This led to showing her a foto of Misty.  Her companion added her voice to the small talk, “ I remember your hat.  You rode that horse across America, right?  And you want to legalize all drugs.”

“Guilty on both charges, but how did you know?”  She explained that 16 years ago, was she an aide to Congressman Shadegg (R-AZ).  I had made my standard presentation to her, which always includes a bit of my biography.  It may have helped that I mentioned that I rode thru Arizona in 2005 en route to New York City.

You could have knocked me over with a feather.  Perhaps I still have “it.”  An extra shot of Crown Royal whiskey, when I returned home.

Weekly Activities:

3961 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 08 this week…

COP stats since inception: August 2009

356 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week….

438 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   0 this week

108 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 01 This week. Esquire Magazine

96 Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –

33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria),  LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

in the past – Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)

To send a check:

COP

POB 543

Buckeystown, MD  21717