Posted January 14th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of January 4, 2019
Fun story of the week: On Wednesday I made the rounds in the House to see who had moved
and update the info on the aides who deal with drug war issues. As usual, my first stop was a
restroom to make sure I was presentable. A guy walked in and said, “I know you. You were in
New Hampshire for the primary in 16. You are omnipresent.”
He is an aide to a Florida R and said the hat and t-shirt were unforgettable. Cool beans!!
Good Sign for Success: On Thursday I met with five of my colleagues in the morning and spent
three hours together going to the open houses, receptions, etc (a first in my time in DC). COP,
MPP, NORML, SSDP and two reps from the NCIA (industry). We were all looking like shiny,
new pennies and as we ran into a good number of Members and staff, I am sure we made a
solid impression. See foto attached.
A bonus for me was to just admire the professionalism my colleagues exhibited that morning.
As you know, the vast majority of my 13 years on the Hill I was a Lone Ranger. Even as I
usually will work alone – giving presentations and such – I will have a closer relationship with my
colleagues.
This week’s stats:
280 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week (Correa (D-CA), Schweiker (R-AZ) Kildee (D-MI)
2959 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 21 this week
154 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 this week. (Marijuana Business Daily)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
358 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week (MS-R) Tate Reeves, Lt. Governor (running for Gov)
Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
30 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 -ALEC
84 Radio Interviews. 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
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted December 22nd, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of December 21 & 28, 2018
Shucks: I spent Monday visiting 20 key, Republican offices in the Senate with Don Murphy of MPP. The purpose was to have those Senators attach the STATES Act (10th Amendment for MJ) onto the First Steps bill which eventually passed 87-12. Ultimately, we were unsuccessful, but we were swinging the bat.
1.4 miles, 8 flights of steps & 4 hours: Wednesday afternoon was spent visiting 36 Senate offices to pass out info (see bottom) and grab some unscheduled presentations.
Grass Tops: On Wednesday morning, after I made an end-of-the-year presentation to the Grover Norquist group of conservatives, I had an excellent discussion with a guest; the Lt. Governor of Mississippi. He was young and receptive to ideas outside the normal, get tough policies.
Texas maxim – if you are telling the truth, it ain’t braggin. I include this comment from the former NM governor, Gary Johnson, because you as a COP supporter should know the character and reputation of the organization.
Howard, of all the people I have met on the national political scene you are among those at the top of that list. I!!! will always be at your service. Thanks, Gary
Sent from my iPad
2019 Motto: No man standing in the wrong, can stop a man standing in the right – who keeps on a comin’. Capt. McDonald, Texas Ranger
This week’s stats:
2938 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 11 this week
358 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (MS-R) Tate Reeves, Lt. Governor (running for Gov)
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
277 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
153 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
30 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 -ALEC
84 Radio Interviews. 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
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted December 20th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of December 14, 2018
Thief!?: Reading a CATO analysis paper on the opioid/heroin problem, I came to the segment on treatment. As I was reading about the Swiss HAT, I realized that whole sentences were lifted from the COP website!! What the hell? As I finished the segment, I saw the footnote #63. I am very proud and gratified that the author utilized our summary to inform the reader.
63 Howard J. Wooldridge, “Swiss Medication-Assisted Treatment 1994-2018: Summary,” Citizens Opposing Prohibition, https://www.citizensopposingprohibition.org/resources/swiss-heroin-assisted-treatment-1994-2009-summary/; and Nordt and Stohler, “Incidence of Heroin Use in Zurich, Switzerland.”
Area Code 913- where is that?: I viewed the call suspiciously but still I answered. The caller was a state rep in Kansas, from some wheat field in the middle of nowhere. He was asking for my advice on the following situation:
The driver of a small truck was transporting 500 pounds of industrial hemp from Colorado to Michigan. He was stopped by a county sheriff. Long story short the guy was arrested for felony possession with intent to deliver and had been in jail 10 days. I was able to answer a few questions, before turning the situation over to my colleague Ben Droz who is the chief lobbyist for all things industrial hemp in the US Congress. Ben is helping out the poor guy in jail and I will follow up on the story. Truly, it is not what you know but who you know.
We often don’t know, until someone tells us: From Chuck Ream – drug reformer of 3 decades and a prime mover/shaker of why marijuana is legal today in Michigan:
and warm regards to you! What a pleasure it is to work with you!
I think when “healthy and productive Michigan” saw you, they knew their game was up.
And Michigan will open the floodgates, …finally.
I hope you are staying warm and enjoying the season and your wonderful woman.
You are not afraid to get out in the trenches.
This week’s stats:
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
2927 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 0 this week
277 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
153 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
357 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week -A State Senator from Michigan
30 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 -ALEC
84 Radio Interviews. 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
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted December 20th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 7, 2018
No time with the sharks: The week started with a breakfast in Florida with Irv Rosenfeld, my friend and colleague for nearly 20 years. Irv is one of the five remaining, federal marijuana patients in the USA who receives 300 joints per month for his rare bone spur condition.
The next 7 days on the National Review (very conservative org and magazine) were enjoyable and worthwhile, both to relax and to interact with the 300 conservatives and 2,000 other passengers on board. Other than the 4 guys who advocated a solution to the heroin problem was to simply shoot all heroin users (a true, Final Solution), I had another 50 odd chats off my heroin shirt, all thoughtful. One in particular I remember, as the asker had just retired after 30 years a NY state trooper. He was already in the COP mind-set of let the doctors deal with drug people.
I had constructive chats with several of their reporters and columnists and believe this will bear fruit in 2019. Although several of you suggested wearing my life vest 24/7, I’m happy to report no close calls.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
2927 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 0 this week
277 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
153 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
357 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week -A State Senator from Michigan
30 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 -ALEC
84 Radio Interviews. 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
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted December 9th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of November 30, 2018
Back in the Saddle: During 2018 I have been sending Grover Norquist a series of short emails regarding the concept that MJ being on the ballot increases Democratic turnout and can influence a close election. On Monday he asked me to present my findings to his center-right meeting of 150 conservative, DC leaders.
I am allowed to tell you that a solid amount of evidence exists to show that MJ or MMJ on the ballot will drive turnout and impact a tight race. Many thanks to Oklahoma NORML leader, Norma Sapp, for her input on this topic. Key factoid: 42,000 voted in the OK, 2018 primary – only voting for the medical use of MJ and not for any other offices…that is about 5% of the total voters. Grover was impressed. Thank you, Norma.
NOTE: the strategy here is to encourage the Republicans in Congress to vote YES on employing the 10th Amendment on marijuana which would effectively result in a quick road to legalize it at the state level. In the audience was the communications director for Majority Leader McConnell (who has blocked all MJ votes). BTW, he and I have a solid relationship.
*** I really, really want to be out of a job by this time next year.
Shrinkage: Four years ago, SAM (Safe Approaches to MJ) held a Congressional briefing where 3 Congressmen spoke to an audience of about 100. This week SAM held a briefing which I again attended. No Members showed up and only 25-30 staffers. It was pitiful and felt like a funeral. Woohoo!!!!
This week’s stats:
2927 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 01 this week
277 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week (US Senator Cantwell, D-WA)
153 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 this week.
2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}
357 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week -A State Senator from Michigan
30 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 -ALEC
84 Radio Interviews. 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
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
