COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of September 12, 2014

Stories from the week of September 12, 2014

Big Boys now on our side: The Global Commission on Drug Policy published a 45 page booklet this week (URL below).  The group includes the heavy weights like Kofi Annan, former head of the United Nations…Paul Volcker, former head of the Fed Reserve, etc.

This august body has recommended that all, ALL drugs should be regulated by the government in order to reduce the massive harms of the illicit market.  They also recommend experiments with the sale of marijuana, coca leaf and some hallucinogens.  IMHO this is earth-shattering news.  Essentially this group has adopted the COP/LEAP position.  We are no longer voices in the wilderness.  Our message is now main stream.  Take a moment to savor smell of change.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise; Thursday morning was spent at a think tank: CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies).  Frau Fontana, the Swiss health attaché whom I met a year ago, came over and we shared a cup of coffee.  She next to me in the main hall and we continued our chat for five minutes, until the program began.  Auf Deutsch naturally.

An hour later the gentleman directly behind asked a question to the panel.  He was Richard Baum, the Drug Czar’s international point person.  That he heard the cowboy, who before asking a question identified himself as a co-founder of LEAP,  speaking fluent German, well probably didn’t hurt our credibility.  I introduced myself later and we exchanged cards.  I offered him and the President the resources to LEAP as their position evolves. NOTE:  I am fully aware that the cowboy persona might lead someone to believe me to be eccentric – an odd duck (especially as I get older)…and thus be dismissed.

Gracias:  As I was leaving the seminar, two gentlemen approached me and asked a question.  I asked what their first language was.  We chatted in Spanish the next 15 minutes.  They were attached to the Uruguay embassy.  I thanked them for the courage of their government to legalize/regulate marijuana.

Honored:  Late this week I was asked by LEAP to be their liaison between LEAP and their new branch in Costa Rica.  I accepted the position.  I expect this position to take up 1-2 hours a week.    What all this means will be worked out in the coming weeks and I will keep you appraised.

This week’s raw data:

98 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.     07 this week

Two  meetings this week

·         COP stats since inception: August 2009

1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers..  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

• 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…this week
• 19 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)   this week
• 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week

48 Radio Interviews..  00 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

• Buckeystown, MD 21717

Global Commission on Drug Policy report:

http://www.gcdpsummary2014.com/#foreword-from-the-chair