• Congressman Garrett (VA-R)

  • Gov. Chris Christy (NJ-R)

  • Colorado 2012

  • California Field Work, Prop 19

COP on the Hill – Stories from the week of June 28 and July 5, 2024

Times are a changing:  In my one-minute chat with a Republican from Texas he stated, “You don’t need to convince me of that approach.” …as I indicated the macro change of moving drug users from the criminal community to the medical community….music to me ears

Later I had a 30 second chat with another Texas CMan in the elevator…always a bit fun

 

03 meetings: 2 Grover Norquist  and a Washington Post event

6045 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 11 this week

403 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 CMan Pfluger Pfluger (R-TX); Guthrie (R-KY) and Ellezy (R-TX)

 

COP stats since inception: August 2009

 

476 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,   … 0 this week..

117 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 this week

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

102 Radio Interviews:  01 this week

34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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

Media:  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, Stern

* 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

 

Filed under:On the Hill

COP on the Hill – Stories from the weeks of   June 14, 2024

Moments of Pure Joy:   I was presenting to the Legislative Director of a Republican office this  Thursday.  After the usual generalities, I dove into specific, immediate changes needed. He began finishing my paragraphs in total agreement. He was from W Virginia greatly assisting his understanding of illegal drug production and sales (moonshine).  A solid 15-minute exchange.

Such encounters keep me excited to go to work.

 

01 meetings: Grover Norquist

6026 Presentations to Congressional staffers…  11 this week

 

COP stats since inception: August 2009

400 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 00

476 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,   … 0 this week..

117 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 this week

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

102 Radio Interviews:  01 this week

 

34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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

Media:  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, Stern

* 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

 

 

Filed under:On the Hill

COP on the Hill – Stories from the week of May 31 and June 7, 2024

2 meetings: Grover Norquist & Bi-annual Energy Transition Conference

6015 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 08  this week

476 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,   … 03 this week.. Ambassador from Slovenia; embassy employees from France and Germany.  I spoke en français a good 5 minutes about the Swiss approach to heroin treatment and thinking of drug abuse as a medical versus criminal problem.

 

COP stats since inception: August 2009

400 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 00 this week

117 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 this week

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

102 Radio Interviews:  01 this week

 

34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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

Media:  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, Stern

* 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

 

Filed under:On the Hill

COP on the Hill:  Stories from the week of May 24, 2024

This Week:

This week I wrapped up my 6 week running task of giving all offices info on how to arrest a driver for DUI Marijuana  All fairly routine chats.

Better Late than Never:  Back in 2016 when California finally legalized marijuana, the major CA police association opposed the change and urged the public to continue MJ prohibition.

In a 180 change in thinking:  this last week from the Executive Director of my old org, LEAP of which I am a Co-Founder.

Here is a link to an article in Marijuana Moment Two police associations endorsed a great bill that the Cannabis Freedom Alliance (we are on as coalition partners also supports). But critically we need to keep this when we discuss our historical work and how we influence policing. In 2016 PORAC donated 25K in opposition to Proposition 64 which legalized adult consumption. We actively worked on the campaign that helped it pass. In 2024 they are supporting a bill that also supports interstate commerce and ending federal marijuana prohibition. PORAC for those not familiar with the CA policing association is the largest police association in CA as most CA LE agencies belong to them. I am still a PORAC member.

But kudos to our (LEAP) founders and all those that I can’t tag in this email who should be acknowledged for being visionaries in the prohibition wilderness. This language in the article is exactly what we have messaged for years, with the exception of the words illicit substances at the end. They just can’t bring themselves to recognize that its all drug prohibition that is the issue, but baby steps.

“The STATES 2.0 Act will facilitate law enforcement’s focus on diminishing those illegal markets and the bad actors taking advantage of the growing legalization movement occurring in a majority of states throughout the country. This will also enable law enforcement agencies, many of whom are understaffed and underfunded, to focus their limited resources on addressing more serious crimes and illicit substances.”

 

1 meeting: Grover Norquist  :

6015 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 06  this week

473 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,   … 03 this week..2 R candidates running for the US House.  1  Member of the German Parliament.  He told us the only accomplishment of Berlin the past year was to legalize cannabis. And Germany is seriously considering bringing back the military draft.  He and I discussed in German how the legalization is proceeding.

 

COP stats since inception: August 2009

400 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 00

117 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 this week

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

102 Radio Interviews:  01 this week

 

34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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

Media:  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, Stern

* 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

 

Filed under:On the Hill

COP on the Hill:  Stories from the week of May 17, 2024

Stuff Happens:  I was leaving a Senator’s office, as the Swedish ambassador was walking in with some aides..He had a flag on his lapel which I incorrectly guessed was Denmark…oops..despite that we engaged.  He gave me a minute to explain how Norway next door had adopted a pro-life position in order to help their heroin addicts survive the problem.  Later, I sent him the 6 minute summary of the Swiss program via email.

This Makes my day and month:  “old soldiers never die.  They just fade away.” General MacArthur 1953

One day when I no longer go up and down the corridors of the Congress, my belief is that I leave 1000s of Congressional assistants with a few nuggets of wisdom regarding police work and the intersection of the prohibition of some drugs.  This from a Utah Senator Mike Lee’s office.

Hi Howard,

I appreciate the information you dropped off and your advocacy in this area. I clerked for the United States Attorney’s Office in Utah and for two separate District Attorney’s offices during my time in law school, and I saw many such cases like what you described. Thank you for your service. Dedicated officers like yourself are the thread holding the fabric of our society together.

Keep me informed on issues you think Senator Lee could be helpful with.

Best,
Sean

Chief Legal Counsel

Senator Lee

 

This Week:

1 meeting: Grover Norquist  :

6009 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 07  this week

470 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,   …spoke to 01 this week..R candidate running for the US House

 

COP stats since inception: August 2009

400 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 00

117 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 this week

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

102 Radio Interviews:  01 this week

 

34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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

Media:  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, Stern

* 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

 

Dear Howard,

 

I hope you are well.

 

I am xxxxx with Meta’s Content Policy team, which sets the standards for what content is and is not allowed on our platform. As part of this process, we regularly speak with experts, thought leaders, academia, and civil society to understand how we can improve our policies to better serve our user community and to more effectively remove violating content from our platform.

 

Currently, under our ‘Restricted Goods and Services’ policy, we restrict attempts to purchase, sell, market, coordinate the trade of, donate, offer or solicit high-risk drugs (drugs with a high likelihood of misuse, addiction, or associated with serious health risks, including overdose; e.g., cocaine, fentanyl, heroin). We are currently reviewing our list of high-risk drugs with the aim to include drugs that are considered the most dangerous, in terms of deaths, overdose etc..

 

Given your expertise, I would like to request for an off-the-record and informal discussion about this work. The call should last approximately 45-minutes. Please let me know what time would be convenient for you over the coming weeks.

 

Many thanks,

 

 

 

 

Filed under:On the Hill