COP on the Hill: Stories from the weeks of May 3 & 10, 2019

COP on the Hill

Stories from the weeks of May 3 & 10, 2019

Unhappy husband: On the bike, about to leave a motorcycle rally (500 attending) in Wisconsin, the helmet was on and the bike started, when Lisa, mom w/ a 15 y/o daughter, asked me why legalize heroin. When I replied we could arrest more pedophiles, she high-fived me and expressed thanks. Finally, 2-3 minutes later, as she was giving me a fierce hug (helmet still on), her husband yelled at her it was time to go.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: The meeting took a couple of five (5) years to arrange and it did happen on Friday with a senior, Republican Senate office. Don Murphy of MPP was my wingman for the scheduled 30 minutes which stretched to 40.
Our main argument was that the Senate should pass the clean, 10th Amendment bill (S-1028) to help Republicans avoid more Mia Love type losses (2 term CWoman from Utah, who lost in 2018 by ½ of 1%…per the Lt. Gov. of Utah, medical MJ on the ballot pushed Democratic turn out by upwards of 2%, thus causing her to lose).

So, if the Congress ended fed, MJ prohibition conventional wisdom is a solid ten (10) states would legalize/regulate before the 2020 election. Also, Democratic turnout would be less over-all around the US, as young people would be less likely to vote w/o MJ being an issue (all but Biden have said they would legalize or at least end the fed prohibition). Prez Trump would be given some, begrudging credit for signing the bill.

For Ds who don’t want more Rs in Congress, nor the White House – a victory for marijuana policy could result in losses for D candidates.

On the other hand, an end to the 84 year-running fed, MJ prohibition would result in hundreds of thousands fewer arrests, fewer teens shot selling MJ, more pedophiles and other felons caught (WA and CO are already seeing this per neutral study), fewer minority drivers harassed by racist cops, signal for ending the entire Drug War, etc….
So, know this was not an easy decision, it is extremely complicated and tough call that I made. Moreover, my job, my mission is to end all federal drug prohibition. Full-stop.

PS. On a personal note, it was simply wonderful, a relief to leave DC after 3 straight months of being in the Swamp.

This week’s stats:

3133 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 2 this week
306 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week (CMan Buck R-CO, CMan Carbajal D-CA, CMan McClintock R-CA)
01 Meetings – monthly House MJ coordinating meet

COP stats since inception: August 2009

164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
363 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews.
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
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org

Apply the Tenth Amendment to Marijuana
HR-2093 & S-1028
Washington, D.C. – April 5, 2019 U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) & House Members Dave Joyce (R-OH} and Earl Blumenauer {D-OR} reintroduced the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act (STATES Act) with broad bipartisan support that spans the political spectrum.
• Amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) so that – as long as states and tribes comply with a few basic protections – its provisions no longer apply to any person acting in compliance with State or tribal laws relating to cannabis activities.