Leave them Speechless:   CMan Neguse was in the hallway, chatting with 4 serious guys (turned out to be prosecutors from his district) …after I introduced myself and learned the issue, I responded so all would hear. ‘If we legalized heroin and sold it in stores, there would be no fentanyl in Colorado or anywhere else.’  And dead silence for several seconds, so I just made a tip of the hat and said adios.

They love the buckle. Can I expense it?:  Walking out of Longworth, an aide to new CWoman de la Cruz (R-TX) was walking in.  Spying my huge buckle (6 inches wide), he remarked “nice buckle.”  I told him it was given to me, after I rode my Texas horse coast to coast.  We ended up having an 8-minute chat on drug policy.  All good.  Note: actually it was $160 from my pocket.  The freebie was becoming a Fellow in the Royal Geographic Society.

 Congressman – you are mistaken: On the sidewalk outside of Longworth HOB speaking with Don Murphy, I spotted CMan Santos walking the other way. “Congressman, how is it going?”  Where are your reporter friends?  He and his chief of staff crossed the street and we had a five-minute chat on MJ policy.  He is not yet convinced to vote for change.

Santos stated clearly that NY does Not have a law which the police can use to arrest a driver for DUI Marijuana.  I looked it up, copied the law, gave it to him  and now he knows better/more.  (every state has such a law)

Weekly Activities:

3899 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 29 this week…

351 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 08 this week…. Senator King (I-ME), CMan Crane (R-AZ), CMan Mace (R-SC), CMan Neguse (D-CO), CMan Steil (R-WI), CMan Santos (R-NY), CMan Comer (R-KY) CMan Moore (R-AL)

437 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   01 this week  …x CMan Rohrbacher (R-CA) and MJ champion for many years

COP stats since inception: August 2009

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 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

209 interviews and reports in minor media …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 Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

* 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

  Opportunity presents itself:  While learning the contact info of the CJ staffer of an office, there were 3 at a table in the reception area  speaking to a staffer (every office is configured differently).  The gentleman mentioned the phrase ‘opioid treatment.’ I waited for a break in the chat, excused myself and they gave me a minute to introduce them to the Swiss approach to heroin addiction.  All good.

#2: standing in the long line at the House Subway shop, the staffer remarked, “nice hat.”  I always respond, “you should see the horse that goes under it.”…..we ended up in a full presentation on drug decrim.  No, I don’t spend $25 for lunch with your donations.

Fortune Favors the Bold: Entering the office of CWoman Beatty (D-OH), the reception desk was empty.  I could turn left into the cubicle area or go thru the open door to my right which I was sure was her office.  Of course I turned right and had a nice, long minute chat with her.  .  (Note: the alternative is to donate $10,000 to her re-election campaign and that would give me 10 minutes).

Weekly Activities:

3899 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 29 this week…

343 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 04 this week….Cman Carter (R-GA), Cman Valadao (R-CA), Cwoman Joyce (D-OH), Cman Van Drew (R-NJ)

COP stats since inception: August 2009

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

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 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

209 interviews and reports in minor media …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 Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

* 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

 Not for Nothin:  Making initial contact in a Member office, the young lady staffer remembered the cowboy hat…”I liked the message on your jacket I saw at the Subway Shop last week.”

Just another mundane week of first office contact, presenting myself, making presentations or at least receiving the name of the assistant who handles criminal justice.

Weekly Activities:

3899 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 28 this week…

COP stats since inception: August 2009

339 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week….not in session

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

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 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

209 interviews and reports in minor media …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 Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

* 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

Sorpresa (Surprise): Being remembered by someone is the gold standard of relationships.  I was speaking to a Chief of Staff, when he related that his dad was 25 years an officer and narcotics detective in Puerto Rico. I paused, blinked  and then we finished the next 5 minutes in Spanish.  He made the remark of my ability to switch languages in such a fluent fashion…me thinks I made a good impression.

CMan Mann of Kansas (R) came into the reception area where I was chatting with an aide. Per usual protocol, we shook hands and I gave him the one sentence my mission: to decrim all drugs so the police have more time to arrest people trying to hurt you and your family.  He surprised me by shaking my hand again, saying he completely supports that concept.  Yeah!

Bonus this week:  

I was finishing up my Thursday, when I noticed a fairly large box on the coffee table full of fresh veggies.  The aide said to help myself because no one in the office could eat it or take it home.  He had just spoken to the House Ethics Committee about the gift (all the offices had a box like that delivered by someone).  The ethics person said – do not eat!  So, I took the pound of carrots, the small box of cherry tomatoes and the lemon.  Yum!

Weekly Activities:

3871 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 27  this week…

339 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week  (R-KS) Tracey Mann

436 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   01 this week former US Senator from Kansas, Sam Brownback at the Grover Norquist meeting

COP stats since inception: August 2009

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 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

209 interviews and reports in minor media …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 Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

* 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

Seems almost like in a Dream:  Wednesday arrived and I headed to the Hill for the first time in nearly three years.  The Republican fulfilled their promise to open the office buildings to the general public.

Like Riding a Bicycle:  Walking to the Longworth Bldg, I spotted AOC on the curb, waiting to use the crosswalk near the Capitol.  “Congresswoman, may I walk with you for one minute?”  I introduced myself, she introduced her Legislative Director and I gave them the 60 second elevator pitch. At 61 seconds I thanked her for her time and went back towards Longworth.  Piece of cake!  Yeah!

The day continued with great karma, as I had brief chats with two other Members, gave presentations to 12 staffers and had a good number of them remember and say it was nice to see the cowboy hat and or big buckle back in the hallway.  PS.  I AM Older…after 4 hours I was pooped, above and below the neck.

Sample of my last paragraph:  (email came the next day)

Good Afternoon Howard,

It was nice to see you again and having the chat. I’m happy to take a look at the suggestion you had for the Drug Policy Reform Act and can bring that up with the groups who we have been working with. In the meantime, please let me know how I can be of any help and we will be in touch.

Thank you,

Brad Korten

Legislative Director

Office of Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)

168 Cannon House Office Building

Office: (202) 225-5801 | Direct: (202) 226-7293 | Cell: (202) 809-7530

Weekly Activities:

3844 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 29  this week…

338 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week AOC ( D-NY), McGovern (D-MA) and Glen Thompson (R-PA)

435 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc   1 this week (campaign director who just got Senator Johnson (R-WI) re-elected).

COP stats since inception: August 2009

96  Radio Interviews:  0 this week;

32 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

209 interviews and reports in minor media …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 Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters

Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

* 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