Posted January 22nd, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of January 19, 2018
Truth to Power: On Wednesday I addressed the 150 attending the Grover Norquist center-right meeting with an update on our lovely War on Drugs/Modern Prohibition. The notes I used below. It was well-received.
The Congress was engaged in pre-shut down activities which hampered contacts. = slow week.
This week’s stats:
253 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 1 this week (R-TX, Cman Farenthold)
233 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 3 this week (candidates running for Congress)
Meetings – 1
COP stats since inception: August 2009
2675 Presentations to Congressional staffers… this week
80 Radio Interviews. this week
149 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
72 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 00 this week
27 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 00 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Grover Presentation–
My police Background
WOD has been The most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery and Jim Crow.
1.2 trillion, 50 years and 46 million drug arrests. What is the return on investment, the ROI? Heroin in every small village in America. About 120 Americans die daily from heroin related overdose deaths
Cheerful news
30 states with MMJ. Eight States plus DC with adult use. Direct Tax revenues at 2 billion. Police savings at 1 billion, as the police do not chase God’s green plant. 150,000 full-time jobs in the industry, going to a quarter million as more stores open in 2018.
In 2018 Vermont and New Jersey will go full legal via the legislature. Michigan will go full legal via initiative referendum. Medical will go legal in Utah, Missouri and possibly Oklahoma via the ballot box in November.
In Congress we have about 230 votes in the house ( based on our nose count) to employ the 10th amendment for all marijuana. We have about 75 in the Senate to go to states’ rights for medical. Close to 60 in the senate for full recreational. No vote is expected, as Leadership won’t allow it, especially Chairman Goodlatte. And Chairman Grassley.
Regarding medical use, the ACLU along with the American Legion both support medical use. Repeating, the American Legion is on the same page as the ACLU on the issue of medical marijuana. The American Legion has endorsed HR 2020 which moves marijuana to schedule three.
The ballot issue in Missouri is expected to increase turn out by millennials to vote for marijuana. This may have the unintended consequence of more votes for Senator McCaskill.
The swiss government has agreed in principle to allow US citizens to obtain a long-term visa and enroll in their highly effective, life-saving heroin treatment program. (my initiative in 2017.)
Last, the blue sheet handout. 900,000 teen dealers. My analysis shows 18 r shot every day. IMHO it is shameful that our country has a policy which gives teens a job option which causes 18 to be shot and or killed every day.
MOTIVATION: Why do I come to work?
My precious, seven-year-old grandson in six short years will have his first opportunity to sell marijuana in middle school. Denying him that job option has become my life‘s work.
Posted January 15th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of January 12, 2018
Somebody knows me: I was hanging out at the Capitol steps to grab a chat with a passing Member. Tom Garrett stopped & met with some staff about 30 feet away. Moments later he turned and said, “…over there by the LEAP guy in the cowboy hat.” A minute later he came over and we had a substantive chat.
More Confidence: I cannot divulge my exact information. I can say that due to the number of Republicans leaving (who now don’t need to worry about re-election), the cooperation/pressure between Repub. Members and the Sessions action to tear up the Cole Memo…. We (my colleagues) and I have medium confidence we can break loose a major legislative break thru this year. Stay tuned!
This week’s stats:
2675 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 1 this week
252 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02 this week (Cman Yoho -R from FL and Garrett R of VA)
230 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (candidate in running for Congress)
Meetings – 2
COP stats since inception: August 2009
80 Radio Interviews. this week
149 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
72 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 00 this week
27 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 00 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted January 12th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
Cop on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 28, 2017
Credit for two Rotaries? Our 12 day cruise around the Caribbean was a relaxing manner to end the year. Out of 2,000 passengers I had about 80 ask me why legalize all drugs. Being on a cruise, the chats often lasted 10 minutes. Explaining all drugs is now no more controversial than just marijuana 10 years ago.
Fun Story: On the last full day at sea I did NOT wear The Shirt. True story – the first 4 crew members at breakfast asked where is The Shirt? A couple of people we had met asked – where is The Shirt? Hells bells, after ten days, I didn’t need to wear the shirt…it was pretty cool.
2018: Given the conversion of the American Legion to endorse HR 2020 (move MJ from Schedule One to Three) {credits to COP and MPP’s Don Murphy (and a solid assist from Justin Strekal of NORML) for changing the minds at AL}, I have medium confidence we will have HR 2020 on the President’s desk in 2018..
Posted December 7th, 2017 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of December 8, 2017
Unfortunate and Necessary: After three years of using the LEAP business card on the Hill, I decided the mission statement and style of COP and LEAP had become too incompatible. As you know, COP is narrowly focused at the federal level to end drug prohibition, starting with marijuana. LEAP changed their name and focus in January. We parted on friendly terms.
As I am one of the five founders of LEAP, I hope my baby does well with its new direction. LEAP is focusing on the 50 state legislatures and ballot initiatives.
Personal – I am taking the next two weeks off – on a boat to China or the Caribbean…Karen knows… During that time I am writing an article for the NRA, at their request, on the clash between the 2nd Amendment and Marijuana.
This week’s stats:
2674 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 17 this week
250 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 04 this week (Senator Feinstein, CMan Labrador, Polis & Joyce
229 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 04 this week (candidates in running for Congress & one for governor)
Meetings – 2
On the Capitol steps with Congressman and future governor of Colorado: Jared Polis
COP stats since inception: August 2009
80 Radio Interviews. this week
149 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
72 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 00 this week
27 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 00 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
* 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 4th, 2017 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of December 1, 2017
Happy to see Cowboy Hat: Final Chapter: The two aides expedited a meeting with Congressman Norman (R-SC) and we all met on Wednesday. Before the actual meeting, I had a solid, 10-minute chat with the Chief of Staff. The 15-minute meeting went to 30, as we had a solid, free-flowing chat. I answered the Member’s concerns.
Asked why I focus on this issue, I brought up that my seven y/o grandson will, in 6 short years, have his first possibility to start selling marijuana. That was / is the reason I am active in my retirement years. The Member responded he understood and added he has 16 grandchildren to worry about. All good.
Funny of the week: Passing thru the Capitol police security, one officer pointed at my briefcase and asked, “Is this your free sample day?” I smiled and replied that Friday would be the free sample day…..just think about his question for a moment.
No need to mention prohibition: Sitting and catching up in the Longworth café, the Member noticed me and moved over to my table. I rose and we had a minutes’ chat about the tax bill, etc..we know each other well enough that I don’t have to always mention the issue.
Au Canada: Just prior to my meeting with the Congressman, his previous meeting person came out. Turned out to be a member of the Canadian Parliament. Better, he was on our side on the legalization legislation moving in Ottawa AND he has known LEAP co-founder John Gayder for many years. Karma!!
This week’s stats:
2657 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week
246 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 3 this week
225 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 02 this week (candidates in running for Congress)
Meetings – 2
COP stats since inception: August 2009
80 Radio Interviews. this week
149 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
42 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
72 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 00 this week
27 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc) 00 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
* 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
