COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of October 7, 2016

COP on the Hill:

Stories from the week of October 7, 2016

German Support – Member of their Parliament (Bundestag)

Frank Tempel, a LEAP Germany board member, former police officer and currently a member of the German Parliament (lower chamber – Bundestag) met with me for two hours in his hometown of Erfurt (central Germany – formerly part of East Germany). Over coffee we had a straightforward, cop to cop exchange of values, current status of drug issues in both countries, what LEAP in both countries is doing to move the issue and how to proceed going forward into 2017. Since he only speaks ‘tourist English’ ( he had to learn Russian as a kid), the chat was in German. Frank and I spoke and listened intently the entire time, having coffee instead of Oktoberfest beer to stay sharp ( big sacrifice on my last day in Europe).

To move the public in Germany, LEAP participates in public discussions, TV panels and other mass media events. Yes, there are a few service orgs like Rotary, but they are few. Drug reform in general is not a priority for their society at the moment, rather it is refugees (and their costs) and terrorism. Thus, I suggested linking the wasted police resources going after drugs & MJ in specific, with the prospect of monitoring and catching more terrorist threats, if our colleagues did not chase green plants and white powders. Frank understood the concept and will study it.

Going forward in 2017 Frank has some radical (for Germany) ideas that he will introduce as legislation next year. I can’t say more than that. His ideas will not be easy to pass AND PM Merkel is not our friend on this issue in general.

Also in 2017 Germany will launch a solid MMJ program with distribution handled by pharmacies and paid for by their national healthcare system. Their HAT program for heroin abuse, already in use, will be expanded.

Going fwd in general, I will be supplying Frank’s office with any and all news from the USA, especially MJ news. Though he only speaks very limited English, his aides are near native fluency. Thus, documents, articles in English are no problem. To that end, I have already asked the major players in DC to send me info, as soon as they have it. I am also asking you to send relevant articles, especially human interest stories on this.

Also, I made him aware of the existence of the German Embassy report prepared by my German FBI friend in 2015.. Recall (COP facilitated) a 6 person team from the German and French embassies who made a three day visit to learn from both sides how Colorado was doing.

To summarize – LEAP has an articulate and steady voice in the German Parliament who believes in the legalize/regulate all drugs. He and I have a solid relationship to build on in 2017.

NOTE to COP donors: this German meeting cost COP 4 cups of coffee, a motel & parking. Karen and I were in the area as part of our vacation.

This week’s stats:

204 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week
1 meeting

COP stats since inception: August 2009
2244 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
134 personal chats with a Member of Congress.. this week

14 interviews and reports in minor media = this week.
67 Radio Interviews.. 00 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
62 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR)…02 this week (NBC twice)
24 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, etc) 0this 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. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org