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
Posted May 8th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of May 5, 2023
Goodness I love my Job: The whole week was just one good ‘happening’ after another.
*Having a coffee, waiting for my next appointment, a legislative assistant stopped asked, ‘aren’t you the guy with the amazing story?’ I replied I did ride my horse from coast to coast…He; ‘wow, i met you in 2019 in the House and you are one of 3 lobbyists i actually remember!’ (Note; in 3 years he probably met about 1200). We had an excellent 3-4 minute chat on the Drug War and then off he went.
*I gave my first presentation in Spanish on the subject of the Swiss Medication Assisted Treatment to Senator Lujan’s health policy advisor. Fun.
*Senator Cruz (R-TX) is on the judiciary and thus his assistant was extra qualified; US Navy and then 2 years as an assistant US attorney in El Paso..solid and grounded he was. After 10 minutes we were chatting like 2 colleagues back at the cop shop…What a pleasure it was!
*Finished the week with a phone chat with another Republican office. He had also been a federal prosecutor in central Texas and before that part of a DHS (Dept of Homeland Security) task force in the Northeast, USA….where he learned first-hand that most thefts were done by drug addicts needing the money. Also a Libertarian, we agreed on much.
Weekly Activities:
4006 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week…
1 meeting: Grover Norquist and his Right of Center weekly meeting
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.
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 8th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of April 28, 2023
No good stories this week: Just the news that the SAFE Banking Bill has been introduced in both chambers. Sadly, as I said earlier, Senator Schumer again declared he wanted a liberal Christmas tree bill or the bill will not receive a vote. Sadness X 100.
Weekly Activities:
3997 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 06 this week…
97 Radio Interviews: 01 this week; KNSI in Minnesota
Meetings this week: 01…Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
360 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 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 8th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 21, 2023
Fun Week/Productive Week:
On 4/20 SAM (Sensible Approaches to Marijuana) held a conference at a theater in DC. I paid the $250 to attend and I was all dressed up to go! Sadly, the conference decided later to refund my money. Discouraged? yes. John Gilmore urged me to go to the venue and cause trouble, so I did.
- Wearing my signature “COPS SAY LEGALIZE POT”…I stood at the front door, so just about all of the 80 attendees were able to read it.
- When Kevin Sabet (Mr. SAM) popped thru the outer door, we made eye contact and I greeted him with a warm, “Morning Kevin!” He did not respond.. LOL
- During my 90 minute adventure – some studiously avoided my greetings and scurried past to enter the building.
- Near the end, I woman exited her taxi with a broad smile, read my shirt, scowled, and although I opened then nearest door for her and her suitcase on wheels, she chose to open the middle door by herself! LOL
- At the end I entered the building and was confronted by the guy (as it turns out) who had googled me and then decided to refund my $250.. I confirmed I was personal non grata, exited and went to the Senate for 3 meetings with staffers.
- No media whatsoever….shucks. and I did polish my buckle and wore my good hat!
Not Encouraged: I met with Schumer’s people this week. Suffice to say, I do not, did not smell compromise in the air, in order to put something on Biden’s desk. Sadness.
Weekly Activities:
3991 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 9 this week…
360 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week…. Senator Warren (D-MA)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
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
96 Radio Interviews: 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
