COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of August 25, 2017

COP on the Hill:

Stories from the week of August 25, 2017

Not for Nuthin: The American Legion (2.4 million members) passed at the national level a resolution, calling on Congress to allow VA doctors to discuss medical marijuana with our Veterans. This along with their endorsement of HR 2020 are a big development for us in the Congress. COP members can take credit for a good chunk of this. Recall I made the initial contact with their lobbyist in June, later having breakfast (along with MPP Don Murphy) with the same AL lobbyist and brought NORML’s new force on the Hill, Justin Strekal into the loop. My 47 cent opinion is this endorsement by the AL will stop Trump/AG Sessions from touching at least MMJ.

Not Quite in Time: Moving to my next meeting, I saw a cameraman and Senator in the hallway. I knew the face but the name escaped me. 5 seconds after I passed, the name jumped in my brain and I turned to go back. Senator Portman (R-OH) and the only sitting Member of Congress who has toured a Swiss heroin treatment clinic had already disappeared into a room. Damn!

Personal Privilege: My wife and I leave on Monday for a month in Old Europe. I will have two COP meetings; one in Germany with one of their FBI (BKA) agents – the other is in Switzerland with their federal, health ministry. Like last year, COP will not pay for anything. I am there anyway. BTW, my German is back to very good – after much studying this month. Back to work on October 2 (if the government is still there?!)

This week’s stats:

2565 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 11 this week
00 meetings

COP stats since inception: August 2009
227 personal chats with a Member of Congress… this week
210 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
78 Radio Interviews. 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
148 interviews and reports in minor media = 00 this week.
26 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 (CPAC)
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 $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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org