Posted January 12th, 2015 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of January 2 & 9, 2015
This is where the money went in 2014..
Salaries, labor costs: $0.00… a shout out to Dwight in Denver who maintains and improves the COP website
Vehicle mileage, parking and mass transit (train & subway): 2200
Conference costs to attend Drug Policy Alliance: 1000 – United Nations in Vienna & New York City (planning meeting): 2300 – CPAC: 600 and the NRA – National Rifle Association in Indiana: 800—-TOTAL: $ 4,700
Admin: $2,000 – office supplies, internet & cell phone connections, etc. (NOTE: this is about 700 more than usual due to one-time purchase of a new computer: the old, donated computer was obsolete)
Meals: 500
Misc: 300
TOTAL: $9,200
COP work done in calendar 2014:
- 221Presentations to Congressional staffers..
- 14 Radio Interviews..
- 2 brief chats with Members of Congress..
- 11 chats with Members of Congress (5 minutes or more)
- 58 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc
- 5 major conferences attended (United Nations in Austria, DPA, NRA, CPAC, CBC (Congressional Black Conference)
- 4 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 8 published LTEs
- 4 Presentations to Grover Norquist Wednesday meeting + Weekly attendance at the brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
- Assisted in having Grover Norquist speak to large audience at Burning Tree.
- Established a solid relationship with members of the German, French, Uruguay and Swiss embassies.
- A request came from the German and French embassies for COP to arrange meetings in Colorado as part of a fact-finding mission. A large shout out to the law firm of Vicente & Sederburg LLC in Denver who put the nuts and bolts together. We knocked it out of the park.
- Established a working relationship with a White House staffer
Cost: $9,200
Note: the large reduction in presentations to Congressional staffers reflects a new approach of talking to staffers once every two years, instead of every year. All 535 offices receive several visits to drop off materials & remind them of law enforcement presence on the Hill who are against Drug Prohibition.
Favorite Foto of 2014: see attached below
At a televised event sponsored by the National Journal – asking a question to the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee – Goodlatte (R-VA)
***A humble thank you to all who donated to keep COP going . COP could not produce the above without your generous support.
Posted December 19th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
December 19 & 26 & January 2, 2015
You’re doing the Lord’s work: While I was eating lunch the active-duty customs agent/supervisor spied the jacket and made contact. He gave me a five minute report on how much time his agency wastes at ports of entry scooping up tons of marijuana. He agreed that all drugs should be legalized. As he left to catch his train (we were in Union Station), he urged me to continue my efforts and said I was doing the Lord’s work. Nice.
Year end analysis: The mood in DC is jubilant and almost stunned disbelief that the Congress approved employing states rights – 10th Amendment on the issue of the medical use of marijuana….at least for the next 10 months. We ‘High-Five’ each other all over town. The consensus is the Congress will find it very difficult to close that door on October 1.
The November election victories have also thrilled us. Oregon, Alaska and DC have all ‘gone Colorado.’ Florida medical MJ grabbed 58% on its first try. All of this in the face of a Republican Tsunami in an off-year election when many young voters stay home. Woohoo!
I just learned that Congressman Rohrabacher will introduce the same language (one sentence) in 2015 to repeal the federal prohibition on marijuana. Perfect! The four organizations which place a full-time advocate on the Hill (COP, MPP, DPA and NCIA (Nat. Cann. Industry Assoc) are happy to again champion this KISS type bill. ( text at bottom)
Busy Work: I will stay engaged this end-of-the-year time…projects such as producing in Arabic why Muslims should support change, already an on-going project for the German embassy, 150 emails to every media person I know and 200 others to those I met in 2014 and finally spending the many hours it takes to add in the 100 plus new Members of Congress into my spread sheets.
It takes a village: I hope & trust you have enjoyed the newsletter in 2014. I pledge more hard work on my part in 2015. I humbly believe that my nine years, 3 sets of boot leather and over 3,000 presentations to Congressional staff had an impact on the vote in May and in December. If you agree, please consider a tax-deductible donation to COP. Go to: · www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
- Citizens Opposing Prohibition
POB 543
On behalf of the COP Board of Directors: Eric Sterling, Jerry Epstein, Karen Anderson & Orrin and Linda Carr we wish the very best of the season to you and yours.
This week’s raw data:
02 meetings these three weeks
- 01 this week…….. 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
1686 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
105 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
11 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
- 20 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
54 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
80 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $79,000).. 0 this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
52 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 28published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…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. …
HR 1523
‘‘Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this subchapter related to marihuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with State laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, or delivery of marihuana.’’.
Posted December 14th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of December 5 & 12, 2014
Nothing new here: I attended a Heritage event concerning marijuana. I had a solid, five minute chat with a Congressman from Oklahoma who claimed an OK poll showed citizens there want the federal MJ prohibition! Who knew?! The panel of conservative experts included a former drug czar. I endured two hours of marijuana is a dangerous drug and legalization will be cause the end of life as we know. And then, they took no questions.
The good news is the panel conceded change thru a decrim approach. Also, they used the same tired, ¾ lies they always use. And the citizens are increasingly ignoring them & voting for change.
Ear of the White House: After another meeting a member of the White House staff gave me three minutes. I asked him to direct SAMHSA to conduct a new study to determine how many teens are employed selling drugs & carrying guns. See old, 2005 report below.
Being wined and dined: My friend at the German embassy invited me and his French embassy counterpart to lunch. He again thanked me for the Denver tour. He said his report is now being discussed in Berlin. Pierre said Paris also has his report on their desk.
Looking ahead to 2015 there might be some new projects where COP help might be needed. That is all I can say at the moment. It was my first 30 dollar lunch, since my arrival in 2005, which my host picked up. Pretty cool.
Hell froze over: Shortly after my arrival in DC nine years ago, the Washington Post published my first letter-to-the-editor I sent them….9 years and dozens of tries later – my second published LTE is at the very bottom.
This week’s raw data:
105 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 02 this week
11 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 01 this week
07 meetings these two weeks
80 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $79,000).. 01 this week
· COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 20 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
54 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
1686 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
52 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 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
Why do more than 900,000 teenagers sell drugs1 but not alcohol or cigarettes?
Because alcohol and tobacco are regulated and sold through stores
Notes:
1) “Alcohol Use and Delinquent Behaviors among Youths,” April 2005, SAMHSA Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (www.SAMHSA.gov), USDHHS. (www.hhs.gov)
In 2003, nearly 9 million (36.1 percent) youths aged 12 to 17 had engaged in at least one delinquent behavior during the past year. Almost 6 million (23.8 percent) youths took part in a serious fight at school or work, 4.5 million (18.1 percent) youths took part in a group-against-group fight, 2.1 million (8.3 percent) youths attacked someone with the intent to seriously hurt them, 1.1 million (4.5 percent) youths stole or tried to steal anything worth more than $50, more than 900,000 (3.6 percent) youths sold illegal drugs, and more than 900,000 (3.6 percent) youths carried a handgun during the past year.
The WP edited it a bit but still made my essential point
December 11 at 5:26 PM
Regarding Samuel T. Wilkinson’s Dec. 7 op-ed, “Big Pot?”:
As a retired detective and co-founder of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, I understand Dr. Wilkinson’s concerns about marijuana.
It should be given the same respect, laws and regulations as beer. What are the advantages of the current policy, in which drug cartels produce and distribute marijuana and thousands of teens are selling it off sidewalks and in schools? Is Dr. Wilkinson worried about replacing bloodthirsty cartels with government rules? That deserves more explanation.
Howard Wooldridge, Adamstown, Md.
Posted December 4th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of November 21 & 28, 2014
The fact-finding delegation from the embassy spent three days in Denver learning all about how marijuana legalization is working. The report has been written and is now in Berlin. The other nation involved was France which sent one of their embassy staff to accompany the four Germans.
In so many words the Germans were impressed with the lack of major problems. Their primary concerns lie in how to produce, package and sell the product at a retail level, NOT necessarily legalization itself.
IMHO this was a medium-sized step forward. If this report persuades the Germans to support a change in the 1961 treaty (world-wide prohibition of some drugs), a major hurdle will be eliminated, allowing all the nations to find their own paths. Vienna, Austria and the United Nations yearly meeting on drugs is only a few months away. I am thrilled.
COPs has received a very nice letter from the Germans, thanking me for my efforts in making their Denver mission efficient and successful. All members of COPs should give themselves a pat on the back. You – all y’all – made this possible.
Denver Rocks: A small team in Denver put all the nuts and bolts of the trip together. See my letter to them at the bottom.
How I spent my vacation: I jumped off one ship, kissed Karen and we boarded another one. Karen often wore her shirt, generating many contacts, including a former member of the Canadian Parliament ( he and I have established a relationship). She is truly a tour de force.
This week’s raw data:
One week’s vacation + misc. paper work
· COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 20 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0 this week
103 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 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
1686 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
meetings this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
52 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…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
December 1, 2014
TO: Vicente Sederberg LLC: Denver Relief Consulting
FROM: Howard Wooldridge, LEAP
RE: German/French Fact-Finding Delegation visit to Denver
Ladies & Gentlemen:
I would like to bring to your attention the outstanding efforts of Steve Fox and Chloe Grossman who last month organized meetings for a delegation of staffers from the German and French embassies. Christian Simon, police liaison for the German embassy, who initiated this project was effusive in his praise for the tours and personnel that Steve and Chloe put together. The delegation came away from Denver with a clear and solid understanding of how Colorado has moved from a prohibition model to a legal/regulated/taxed system to handle marijuana.
As I make my rounds in the halls of Congress, it is a great comfort to know my ‘back-up’ in Colorado is Top Shelf. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Howard Wooldridge
Co-Founder – LEAP
CC: Neill Franklin, LEAP
Steve Fox
Chloe Grossman
Posted November 30th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of November 14, 2014
This week I spent an average of 8 hours a day with 500 serious conservatives, political junkies all. It was like a floating CPAC without the college students. Several former Congressmen, Senators & governors spoke to us. The cruise was organized by the National Review magazine.
Small Steps: At a breakout session attended by 200, including a former governor and Congressman I asked the presenter; is the War on Drugs indeed the New Jim Crow? He agreed it was a horrible policy and needed to end. When he ended, 30-40 people applauded…not too shabby for hard core conservatives. After the briefing ended, another 5-6 people came and engaged me in a chat.
The Anti-prohibition Message is Everywhere: I averaged being asked about my shirt 12-15 times a day. On day one a gentleman in our NR group really liked the answer. He proudly announced on the morning of the 4th day. with excitement in his voice, how he was retelling my words at all the meal tables, break out groups etc he sat at. He thanked me for the solid talking points, promising to continue to spread The Word.
Saliva on my cheeks/where is my life jacket?: At the NR dinner on the 4th night a guy my age to my right was passionate about his position. After about an hour of back and forth, he stated that MJ use was hedonistic and must be stopped. I went silent, turned my head to the other end of the table (for 8),bringing an end to our chat. Sadly, he launched into how hedonistic thoughts have led to Roe vs. Wade and 56 million dead babies. I remained silent. He kept going, to the point of screaming; our table and several surrounding tables stopped talking and I felt two drops of spit hit my cheek. I prepared for the guy’s fist to connect with my jaw. After about a 45 second tirade he shouted he was done talking to me…..and he never hit me…yeah!! In 17 years he has been the most verbally violent person I have ever encountered….I hope it will be another 17 before it happens again.
This week’s raw data:
- 20 major conferences attended.. (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 01this week
103 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 02 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
1686 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
6 meetings this week
38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)
52 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…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
