Posted December 19th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 18, 2020
Marijuana becomes “normalized.” A former Fall River, Massachusetts mayor’s chief of staff pleaded guilty to federal charges of extorting and bribing marijuana businesses.
Kind Words: Each December I send out 300 emails to all my contacts to let them know I am still alive…I had this reply from someone I met ten years ago. He is still a law professor in Knoxville, TN and hosts a radio show for law students………”Congratulations on your many victories, and thanks for your efforts. You are doing God’s work. Persistence is the difference between winning and losing.
Among all the reasons to decrim is the effect that prohibition has had upon our fundamental rights—most of the erosion of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments over the past fifty years has been due to drug busts. So, you’re not just saving lives, but protecting our civil liberties.
Keep the faith, and keep going. Many people are silently cheering you on.”
Best of the Season to you and yours, Howard
Activity this week:
3449 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 03 this week
1 meeting – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
90 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
327 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
206 interviews and reports in minor media …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
Posted December 15th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
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, 10th 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
Posted December 7th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 3, 2020
Just another week of phone calls and yet, I am constantly encouraged by the reaction of staffers both R and D who have a positive reaction to the concept of decrim equals less contact, less friction with minorities and thus improve police/community relations.
Activity this week:
3438 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 15 this week
1 meeting (DC activists working on heroin OD and treatment)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 interviews and reports in minor media
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
Posted November 30th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of November 27, 2020
Always listen to people, Grasshopper: During my 2nd presentation of the week the Legislative Assistant LA, responded to my pitch for Decrim by saying it just sounded like a different kind of Drug Court. * As you know, drug courts are popular all over the USA. So, I used that phrase in my 3rd and 4th presentation and it flowed well, as well as rang good on the ear. I will use it going forward.
- ‘Decrim is simply the next evolutionary step in our well-established drug court system; simply take the criminal court completely out of the equation and use the ‘health assessment committee.’
Make no mistake. The Decrim in Oregon which starts in February will remove the heart and lungs of the drug war in that state. My profession arrests at a ratio of 7:1 users to drug dealers. In Oregon in just two months, the 50-year running drug war will become a side-show. See me grateful to the good folks in Oregon who made this happen.
Activity this week:
3423 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 4 this week
1 meeting
COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 interviews and reports in minor media
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
Posted November 24th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of November 20, 2020
I continue to be encouraged by offices of both parties interested in improving police/community relations by means of total decrim of personal amounts of drugs. My 3-minute summary of what each office is receiving at the bottom.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Activity this week:
3419 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 14 this week
1 meeting
COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 interviews and reports in minor media
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
In November 2020 Oregon voters passed a comprehensive, drug decrim initiative 59 to 41 % for personal amounts* of hard drugs, over stiff opposition from police organizations, the prosecutor’s association and the Drug Treatment Industry. Decrim signals an end to our 50-year running War on Drugs – War on the American People. Oregon voters were able to look at the Portugal experience as a guide for both ‘how to’ and the 19-year running positive results. Implementation is Feb 2021.
Immediate Advantages:
- Improve police-community relations by reducing arrests and friction with citizens, generated by millions of searches of vehicles, etc.
- Reduce criminal justice costs (police, prosecutor, jail, police lab time and probation) – Focus on serious, public-safety related crimes
- Remove the down-stream problems generated by a criminal arrest – employment, voting etc
- Enables the community to deal with drug use/abuse issues in a medical setting
*personal amount (example 2 grams of cocaine, 1 gram of heroin. 2 g of meth)
Scenario: officer finds a citizen with personal amount of an illegal drug. Officer seizes the drug and puts it in the evidence room (later destroyed). The officer gives the person a ticket. The citizen can either pay a civil $100 fine or can go to a ‘Health Assessment Committee’ which would determine, if the person needed treatment or not. If treatment is recommended, the citizen is given the info of where to seek treatment.
Major funding for the Assessment Comm. will come thru marijuana sales taxes.
This will have no impact on drug smuggling nor sales. No impact on drug availability.
Portugal has experienced no permanent increase in drug use/abuse… Treatment numbers are way up.
Factoid: 1.4 million arrested in USA in 2018 for simple possession (half for marijuana, half for hard drugs). Roughly, 10 searches are needed to find one baggie of illegal drugs.
Not every user is an abuser
Supporting Information:
This change is helping police/community relations…we strongly believe Oregon police will search fewer vehicle going forward
Q: Will this increase illegal drug use and abuse?
- Per medical experts in the area of drug use and addiction, criminal penalties for drug use consistently rank very, very low, as a reason to use or not use illegal drugs.
Prepared by Howard J. Wooldridge, drug policy specialist at Citizens Opposing Prohibition.org
