COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of September 19, 2014

Stories from the week of September 19, 2014

Road Trip:  Monday and Tuesday were spent on Long Island, NY as we spent time to work up a game plan for Costa Rica to move in an anti-prohibition direction.  A road map was generated and will put into action after approval of higher ups.

Get it in writing:  I had a good chat with the three candidates for federal office that I met at a meeting this week.   Looking at one’s website and position on issues, I had my doubts whether he would support our position in the House.  So, I wrote him that direct question.  He responded directly and firmly he would employ the 10 Amendment on marijuana policy. … I wished him well.

I am focusing on the Senate in September and October.  We are asking our friends in Mr. Reid’s office to hold a vote on a Senator Paul amendment to deny federal money to enforce federal law in the 30+ states with some form of medical marijuana use.

This week’s raw data:

1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers..  11 +this week

101 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.     03 this week

1 meeting this week

·         COP stats since inception: August 2009

54 brief chats with Members of Congress..   00 this week

10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress..  0  this week

• 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…this week
• 19 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)   this week
• 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week

48 Radio Interviews..  00 this week

• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week

79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week

      *   2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position

• 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 $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.  30 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 prohibition.  COP provides that voice.    …  Go to: ·       www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition

POB 543

• Buckeystown, MD 21717

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of September 12, 2014

Stories from the week of September 12, 2014

Big Boys now on our side: The Global Commission on Drug Policy published a 45 page booklet this week (URL below).  The group includes the heavy weights like Kofi Annan, former head of the United Nations…Paul Volcker, former head of the Fed Reserve, etc.

This august body has recommended that all, ALL drugs should be regulated by the government in order to reduce the massive harms of the illicit market.  They also recommend experiments with the sale of marijuana, coca leaf and some hallucinogens.  IMHO this is earth-shattering news.  Essentially this group has adopted the COP/LEAP position.  We are no longer voices in the wilderness.  Our message is now main stream.  Take a moment to savor smell of change.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise; Thursday morning was spent at a think tank: CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies).  Frau Fontana, the Swiss health attaché whom I met a year ago, came over and we shared a cup of coffee.  She next to me in the main hall and we continued our chat for five minutes, until the program began.  Auf Deutsch naturally.

An hour later the gentleman directly behind asked a question to the panel.  He was Richard Baum, the Drug Czar’s international point person.  That he heard the cowboy, who before asking a question identified himself as a co-founder of LEAP,  speaking fluent German, well probably didn’t hurt our credibility.  I introduced myself later and we exchanged cards.  I offered him and the President the resources to LEAP as their position evolves. NOTE:  I am fully aware that the cowboy persona might lead someone to believe me to be eccentric – an odd duck (especially as I get older)…and thus be dismissed.

Gracias:  As I was leaving the seminar, two gentlemen approached me and asked a question.  I asked what their first language was.  We chatted in Spanish the next 15 minutes.  They were attached to the Uruguay embassy.  I thanked them for the courage of their government to legalize/regulate marijuana.

Honored:  Late this week I was asked by LEAP to be their liaison between LEAP and their new branch in Costa Rica.  I accepted the position.  I expect this position to take up 1-2 hours a week.    What all this means will be worked out in the coming weeks and I will keep you appraised.

This week’s raw data:

98 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.     07 this week

Two  meetings this week

·         COP stats since inception: August 2009

1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers..  this week

54 brief chats with Members of Congress..   00 this week

10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress..  0  this week

• 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…this week
• 19 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)   this week
• 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week

48 Radio Interviews..  00 this week

• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week

79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week

      *   2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position

• 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 $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.  30 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 prohibition.  COP provides that voice.    …  Go to: ·       www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition

POB 543

• Buckeystown, MD 21717

Global Commission on Drug Policy report:

http://www.gcdpsummary2014.com/#foreword-from-the-chair

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of September 5, 2014

Stories from the week of September 5, 2014

?You Howard Wooldridge? Maybe, who’s asking?: At the Newark airport waiting for my flight to Costa Rica, a young, off-duty NC cop Googled my shirt and figured out who I was. (he will be a detective someday). We had an excellent 45M chat.

Harley as a business expense?: The day after a two hour formal meeting with a member (Diputado) of the Costa Rican Congress, my new amigo approached me. We chatted for a bit about the politics (he had introduced a ground-breaking medical MJ and industrial hemp bill two weeks ago). Then we learned of our mutual love of traveling on our Harleys; he all over Central America and me North America…this helped seal our working relationship. He spoke not a word of English, so my Spanish was crucial.

Fifth Latin-American Conference on Drugs: The front line of the drug prohibition is Central America and I wanted to know how far along they were in wanting change/what could I do to move the change along. All to better prepare for the United Nations efforts in 15 & 16.

Sadly due to a visa issue, LEAP’s President Neill Franklin was missing his aide who was to handle all the Spanish. He asked me to fill in which I gladly did. His schedule was packed with high-level meetings, interviews and the opening of LEAP’s branch in Costa Rica.

The undercurrent of the conference (350 attended) and the meetings was an intense desire to change from the current prohibition approach. Relationships were established which will facilitate that change.

This week’s raw data:

91 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.     03 this week

• 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…01 this week
• 19 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)  01  this week
• 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 02 this week

Two meetings

•   COP stats since inception: August 2009

1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers..  this week

54 brief chats with Members of Congress..   00 this week

10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress..  0  this week

48 Radio Interviews..  00 this week

• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week

79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week

      *   2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position

• 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 $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.  30 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 prohibition.  COP provides that voice.    …  Go to: ·       www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition

POB 543

• Buckeystown, MD 21717

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of August 22 & 29, 2014

Stories from the week of August 22 & 29, 2014

Frodo Redux – The Table of Power: COP just finished its fifth year and I was reflecting on what to include in the annual report. About six months ago at Grover’s meeting I sat in a chair at ‘The Big Table.’(17 chairs) Nobody asked me to leave. I sat there the next week and ever since.

This seat-at-the-table gives our message stature and strength. Small step.

Axis of Change: I met with Senator Booker’s (D-NJ) this week and in combo last week’s meeting with Senator Paul’s office, we are laying the groundwork for substantive change in several areas of criminal justice/drug prohibition. NOTE: Booker & Paul are buddies.

Inquiring minds want to know: Going thru security at the House office bldg, the officer & I say hello all the time. This week he wanted to know more about DC’s new decrim law & Colorado (he is going there on vacation, hmmm). Twenty minutes later I began my day. 50 or so mostly staffers saw us chatting….good association.

Travel: Next week I am attending a 3 day drug conference for all of Latin America in San Jose, Costa Rica. About 300 will attend plus reps from the United Nations. The flight, hotel and conference fees cost $1,000 and I believe it will be time/money well spent. Yes, I am studying my Spanish extra hard and given its proximity to the hell in Central America caused by the cartels, I will take my own advice of ‘cuidado.’ (be careful). I WON’T be wearing my t-shirt.

This week’s raw data:

1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 12 this week

Two meetings

•   COP stats since inception: August 2009

54 brief chats with Members of Congress..   00 this week

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

10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress..  0  this week

48 Radio Interviews..  00 this week

• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week
• 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
• 18 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)    this week
• 26 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week

79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week

      *   2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position

• 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 $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.  30 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 prohibition.  COP provides that voice.    …  Go to: ·       www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition

POB 543

• Buckeystown, MD 21717

COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of August 15, 2014

Stories from the week of August 15, 2014

Frost on the pumpkin: A meeting with a staffer from a Republican, leadership office reminded me of my first year on the Hill. She was cold as ice during the 20 minutes. Upon conclusion, she uttered a terse, “Thank you for coming in.” It has been several years since I had a staffer be that officious.

Global warming is back baby: an hour after the above meeting I stopped into an R office from Texas. The press secretary and aide and I had a robust, 20 minute chat on the issue in the reception area. They described their efforts and frustrations, as they are trying to convince the Boss to adopt a 10^th Amendment approach to marijuana. Another aide came in and asked my views of horse slaughter for meat. Another 5 minute, lively roundhouse discussion. Such encounters really help, especially after Ms. Icecube above.

Serious question anyone? Anyone at all? I gave the Grover Norquist meeting my quarterly update on Colorado; teen use is down, violent crime is down, fatal car accidents are down, unemployment is down nearly 1%, etc. Asking for questions, all I got was, ‘ how are sales of the Frito Lay Corporation!!!’ I am telling you, this is progress, since I began attending 5 years ago.

Parlez-vous Spanish? I had a 4:00 meeting with a staffer from Rand Paul’s office. He was running late and the receptionist & I were chatting. I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He said his major was French and he was looking at the State Dept. I replied I spoke French. He broke into French and we chatted for a minute or so. (the office stopped, including the press secretary who had come in…probably in disbelief that a cowboy spoke French).

My staffer came in during the French chat. He said he spoke Spanish. I asked him a relatively simple question in Spanish. He replied in English that his Spanish was a little weak.

It is not every day I have the chance to showcase my skills with four staffers of a US Senator. BTW, the staffer who had studied Spanish had no hard feelings about the incident. I gave him some tips on how to use his limited Spanish to enhance the reputation of the Boss.

I had a nice mention in a blog this week: text & URL at very bottom

This week raw data:

1666 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 24 this week

•   COP stats since inception: August 2009

54 brief chats with Members of Congress..   00 this week

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

10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress..  0  this week

48 Radio Interviews..  00 this week

• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week
• 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
• 18 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)    this week
• 26 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week

79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week

      *   2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position

• 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 $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.  30 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 prohibition.  COP provides that voice.    …  Go to: ·       www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition

POB 543

• Buckeystown, MD 21717
• https://www.opensecrets.org/news/issues/marijuana/
• Pharmaceutical Corporations. Retired police officer turned anti-drug war lobbyist Howard Wooldridge told the Republic Report in 2012 that one of his biggest opponents on Capitol Hill was the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), given that marijuana can “take[e] the place of everything from Advil to Vicodin and other expensive pills.” PhRMA is certainly an organization to be reckoned with. In 2013 alone PhRMA spent nearly $18 million on lobbying, ranking it ninth in spending among all lobbying clients. Drug manufacturers gave big in the 2012 elections — nearly $21.8 million to various federal candidates and committees as well as the parties.