Posted July 16th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Must be present to win: As my Thursday was winding down, I was in the process of learning the names of the Health Policy Advisors for the Members whose offices are in the Cannon Building. As I spoke to the two receptionists in one office, my words floated thru the open door of the Congresswoman. I already knew her adult son had an opioid addiction for 10 years.
She came out of her office and introduced herself: Madeleine Dean. She wanted to know more about the Swiss approach to treatment and the WOD in general. After 3 minutes of that, the chat moved, as I felt relaxed and quipped about Member Matt Gaetz and his eye makeup during the hearing with the FBI Director Chris Wray…She and I agreed that Rep Ted Lieu was awesome in his Q and A. She was a genuine human being and we connected on an intimate level, sharing who had the most grandchildren…LOL.
Anyway, she wanted to know more about the Swiss approach. and I assured had had multiple contacts with the officials at the Health Ministry in Bern. She expressed a great interest in going there and learning as much as possible.
If this develops into something concrete, beyond question, this was the best 7 minutes of my 16 years on the Hill. I floated out of that office. Perhaps a big step forward.
Looking for an excuse: waiting in a long line to order my Subway sandwich, I dictated a note to a friend who is German…the guy in front of me says, ‘ Sie sprechen Deutsch. Ich spreche auch Deutsch.’….we went on in German for a minute..then back to English…he was the Agriculture advisor to a MS Congressman and his colleague in front of him was the criminal justice advisor…2 minutes later, they knew a bit of why we should end the drug war….small steps.
Weekly Activities:
362 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week ( Madeliene Dean D-PA)
4029 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 9 this week…
441 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc 01 this week Member of the German legislature (Bundestag)
Meetings (2) 2 at Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
97 Radio Interviews: 0 this week;
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (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
in the past – 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
* 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
Posted July 16th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Not the analysis they expected: I met with assistants from an Oklahoma senator this week. I praised their state for being one of the top 10 states with progressive drug policies: OK de-felonized simple possession of hard drugs (one of only 18 states to do so) about 10 years ago. OK medical marijuana rules make it simple to qualify and thus buy God’s green plant. Sadly, I am unable to put in this message the look on their faces.
Later, the LA said OK and the Senator remained very conservative on drugs.
Time to Switch: The Senate legislative assistants who will take a COP has shrunk to a mathematical zero. Thus, starting next week, I will switch to the House.
In the House in July we fully expect two major, drug bills to be introduced; a marijuana deschedule bill and another to decrim simple possession of hard drugs at the federal level only.
The MJ deschedule bill will be Republican-centric, simple and Speaker McCarthy has promised it to receive a vote. The decrim bill is expected to contain the same “Defund The Police” paragraph as last year and thus will receive very little support from either party.
Weekly Activities:
4020 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 07 this week…
440chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc 01 this week MD State Senator Karen Young
Meetings (3) 2 at Grover Norquist and 1 with expert on psychedelics
COP stats since inception: August 2009
361 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
97 Radio Interviews: 0 this week;
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (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
in the past – 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
* 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
Posted June 17th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of June 16, 2023
FIRST MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:
COPs was founded in 2009 with the goal of ending all drug prohibition, starting with marijuana. In 2009 we had bills in Congress to employ the 10th Amendment (states rights) for medical use of MJ. The bills never received more than 171 votes of the 218 needed to pass the House. The other bill in play (since the 70s) was NORML’s decrim of 3.5 ounces which was never voted on.
In late 2010 I was able to gather all the major players in DC and convinced them to abandon the NORML approach and agree to a simple, one page 10th Amendment centered bill to end the federal prohibition of marijuana. I emptied my 2-liter bottle of good, Canadian whiskey into about 14 glasses and after 90 minutes, the group agreed to this new idea.
In 2011 Congressmen Barney Frank and Ron Paul introduced that one-page bill. I am happy to report that in 2023 this approach has 74 votes in the Senate and over 300 in the House. I am sad to report that Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Booker are insisting any MJ legislation contain anti-10th Amendment language (social equity programs, etc), thus killing any chance of crucial, Republican support.
All this to say; any and all efforts to normalize marijuana laws should now be directed at the state level, state legislatures for both legalize/regulate and any social equity programs – if this is your primary area of concern/activism/support.
As you know, COP continues to urge Democratic, Senate offices to pressure Schumer/Booker to take a 70% marijuana win and let the rest go. COP is speaking up this session on better access to opioid treatment and urging the Members to look at the next big step in ending The War on Drugs; namely total drug decrim a la Portugal and Oregon.
My spring break is over and I am back to work this weekend and on the Hill Wednesday.
Weekly Activities:
COP stats since inception: August 2009
4013 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 0 this week…
361 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
97 Radio Interviews: 0 this week;
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
439 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc 0 this week
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (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
in the past – 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
* 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
Posted May 20th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Must Be Present to Win: Heading to my 1015 first meeting of the day, I entered the elevator and nodded “mornin” to the lone occupant. After a few seconds my brain kicked in, so I added “Senator.” It was Senator Cotton (R-AR). I was able to deliver my 30 second elevator pitch. And so it goes.
Bill to make fentanyl Schedule One: The aide to Speaker McCarthy told us of a new bill at the Norquist meeting. I was able to ask the question: ‘Doctors give patients 1000s of doses of fentanyl for pain every day. Making it Schedule One means ‘no accepted medical use’ and illegal. Thus, we will need to legalize heroin as a substitute.’…..much laughter, followed by some clarification. LOL
FWIW / Anecdotal: On Saturday at Costco a record 3 people stopped me to say they support the shirt (legalize heroin). Always feels good to receive that validation. Of course, those who disagree, usually just scowl and say nothing.
Spring Break: I need a break from the Swamp…I am jumping on my Big Two-Wheeler on Monday, headed to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Bryce Canyon, Moab, UT, etc…back in a month..
Weekly Activities:
4013 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 07 this week…
361 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week – Senator Cotton (R- AR)
2 meetings: Grover Norquist and his Right of Center weekly meeting. Wednesday soiree with about 100 from MJ industry at a swankee building in DC put on by NCIA.
Posted May 20th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Not Since Vienna: I had an unusually early, 0930, meeting with the Senate Staffer. I arrived way too early at the Dirksen building. Going thru security, I noticed the person behind me, there to testify later, was none other than Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of NIDA (National Institute for Drug Abuse); essentially the nation’s top addiction expert employed by the federal govt.
I walked over, introduced myself and thanked her for her remarks in Vienna, Austria in 2016, when she informed the United Nations annual Drug Conference (I was in the audience) that we should never incarcerate people for simple use of any illegal drug. We had a solid, one – minute chat.
People are going to talk: Waiting for the elevator, I had a chance to chat, again, with Senator Lujan (D-NM). An hour later, I ran into him again near his office, as i was in the process of delivering a letter to him/his office, thanking him for his time earlier in the day. Note: I had met him, when he was a Congressman in the House.
Weekly Activities:
4006 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week…
1 meeting: Grover Norquist and his Right of Center weekly meeting
441 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc 02 this week : Dr Volkow and a woman running for Congress
COP stats since inception: August 2009
360 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
97 Radio Interviews: 0 this week;
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (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
in the past – 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
* 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
