Posted September 6th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 31 & September 7, 2018
So mistaken and Happy to be So: My new HEROIN shirt has been in public now for 10 days. I was so sure I would have serious, upset people pushing back on it. Mistaken, I was. Even as I know that those who disagree will rarely ask why, I have had two dozen people engage me in constructive chats on why we should legalize heroin. The tone was mostly quizzical and two minutes later, many handshakes and “bless what you do.”
Make my Day: On Tuesday I left an office and entered the hallway perfectly to nearly run into Senator Joe Manchin (WV-D). I asked to walk him to the stairwell and he agreed. We spent a minute and a half, mostly discussing the opioid epidemic and ended with him receiving the Swiss Program Summary. The guy is as genuine as a rising sun.
Blood and Treasure: I have employed a brand-new topic in my 30-minute presentations to Senate staffers these past two weeks. Of course, we all know about the trillion dollars spent to date on our lovely war on drugs. What is the cost in the blood of our young people, I ask. Since the issue of teens shot due to their employment in the drug trade, the question is nearly rhetorical. I am asking each office to call for an over-sight committee hearing to explore the issue. Law makers should make decisions, based on ALL the costs, not just the money.
Next week will be spent on a fun trip to my sisters’ and driving Karen to the doc for a routine procedure.
This week’s stats:
2918 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 12 this week
275 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week (Senator Manchin, D-WV)
1 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
351 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (R candidate for Congress)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
30 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 -ALEC
78 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 00.. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio)
84 Radio Interviews. 0 this week
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted September 5th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 24, 2018
She was curious: Senator Capito of WV entered the elevator with her aide. Halfway up, she asked what COP stood for. This sparked a nice little chat on the topic of drug war.
Fundamental shift in my day: As you know, we easily have enough votes to pass a 10th Amendment bill out of the House. The Senate contains about 60, if, IF all Democrats vote our way. Thus, effective this week I will almost exclusively organize meetings with Senate staffers. I will still visit the House for hearings and pass out updates. Moreover, I will only schedule these meetings when the Senate is not in session. This will allow me to follow the solid example of my MPP colleague Don Murphy to become omni-present in the three Senate buildings AND have short chats with Senators before and after hearings.
The Daily Caller is an online news source for many. From goodness knows where they found a foto of my backside in NH at a Chris Christie rally and used it. Click on the URL and the foto jumps out.
http://dailycaller.com/2018/08/20/new-jersey-legalize-pot/
This week’s stats:
2906 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 13 this week
274 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week (Senator Capito, R-WV)
1 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
350 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 03 this week (2R candidate for Congress, one OK county commissioner)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
30 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 -ALEC
78 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 00.. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio)
84 Radio Interviews. 0 this week
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted September 5th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 17, 2018
PS on ALEC – New Orleans Conference: In 2018 for those in drug reform we imagine/believe that Everyone knows the facts and resist change for moral or other reasons. Re-examine that.
I spent more time answering the ‘Gateway’ theory in three days than I have the past five years. Or, ‘since MJ stays in your system for weeks, users can’t drive – since they are still stoned.’ ‘Sends the wrong message to kids and thus increase use’ & on and on. Oh vey.
Counting Noses: Careful analysis of Senators and Reps by Don Murphy of MPP shows clearly, we have the 218 votes in the House and the 60 needed in the Senate to repeal the 1937 prohibition of MJ. We in reform simply need new leadership in Congress. The Republican power structure refuses to allow a vote. That is why I am headed to Texas in early October to spend a month, to defeat CMan Pete Sessions who blocks all votes. Ryan and Goodlatte (chairman of the Judiciary Comm.) are both leaving/retiring. Trump is on our side. 2019 could be the year.
Personal time (wedding) equals just one day on the Hill. Back full-time next week in the Senate.
This week’s stats:
2893 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 02 this week
1 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
347 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (R candidate for Congress)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
30 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 -ALEC
273 personal chats with a Member of Congress… this week
78 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 00.. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio)
84 Radio Interviews. 0 this week
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted August 13th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 10, 2018
New Orleans in August. Really?! The annual ALEC – American Legislative Economic Council. ALEC.org (Federalism, Free Markets, Limited Government) was held this week and my ace advisor Don Murphy of MPP said it is THE place to see/chat with hundreds of state senators, reps and other VIPs. So, COP split the cost of the booth, hotel room etc. to make the pitch.
As usual, Don’s advice was spot on. Not just the quantity but also the quality of the chats; 5-8 minutes with most. I brought many to the table with, “Hey, would you like to know why?” and point to the COP sign. (some saw the sign ahead of time and scurried past eyes glued to the opposite side of the room).
On the other hand, I met and had a chat with White House Domestic Policy Advisor Brooke Rollins. All good. (first foto)
I saw that shirt at Stonehenge this spring: During the 2nd night’s reception an Indiana prosecutor approached and asked what were the odds of seeing that unique T-shirt 2x in one year. Her foto showed my backside. She about fainted, when I showed her my foto of Stonehenge (below). She took a selfie of us and then had an excellent chat on status of the War on Drugs, along with two other county prosecutors.
This week’s stats:
346 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 92 this week
30 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 01 this week -ALEC
Don had dozens of chats but i am not able to bring up a foto…so one from the past..chat w/ US Senator L. Graham
COP stats since inception: August 2009
2891 Presentations to Congressional staffers… this week
273 personal chats with a Member of Congress… this week
1 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
78 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 00.. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio)
84 Radio Interviews. 0 this week
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted August 3rd, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 3, 2018
Just a solid week in the Senate finishing up the distribution of 2018 Updates (see below).
I did mention to staffers the need for an oversight hearing, to determine the number of young people shot each day, due to their employment in the drug trade. COP analysis shows the number to be 18. I added, we know the trillion-dollar cost. What is the cost in the blood of our youth?
Poor planning on my part (did not read the weather report) meant I was about to be soaked, running 5 minutes from the Senate to Union Station. One of the building staff I’ve known for 10 years came thru the door and we bumped fists. Then I jokingly said I would give him five bucks for the large umbrella he had. “Just take it.” He replied. I accepted his offer. (note: visitors leave hundreds of umbrellas at the security station every year & staff can use them after no one claims them).
It is in my nature to be friendly to all and it paid off on Thursday.
This week’s stats:
2891 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 13 this week
273 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02 (Senator Corry Gardner R-CO, Senator Tammy Baldwin D-WI)
1 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
255 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
78 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 00..This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio)
84 Radio Interviews. 0 this week
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.
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
29 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
* 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
War on Drugs Update: 2018
Oklahoma 57% to 43 passed a robust, Medical MJ ballot initiative on June 26. How conservative is OK? It did not approve of legal alcohol, until 1956!! 30 states + DC have MMJ programs. 9 states MJ for adult use is legal.
Canada legalized MJ possession & sale. Goes into on effect October 17, 2018. The Provinces will decide on the regs.
Mexico’s new president wants an internal debate on legalize small quantities of all drugs, like they had in 1940.
The MJ industry employs 160,000 FTE in USA. 2X as many as the coal industry. Wages start at 15/hr.
In “Marijuana Legalization and Crime Clearance Rates: Testing Proponent Assertions in Colorado and Washington State,” researchers find that this claim holds up under scrutiny. The paper, published this in July 2018 Police Quarterly, notes significant increases in the clearance rate—the ratio between the number of crimes solved and the total number of crimes recorded by the police—for violent crime in both Colorado and Washington state, the first two states to legalize recreational cannabis, following legalization.
The FDA announced in June that it’s given its approval to Epidiolex, a natural plant, CBD drug. Not yet scheduled.
Drug War Refugees…symptom vs disease…the 100,000 kids on the border since 2014 R fleeing Cartel violence and employment. Why are there cartels? Our lovely, 1.2 trillion-dollar war on drugs / Modern Prohibition, of course – which puts heroin in every town in America.
The Governors of 12 states have endorsed the STATES Act letter: (Rep: MA, MD, ND, NV, AK) (Dem: CA, OR, WA, CO, PA, NJ, NY). The Gardner/Warren bill, S 3032, would simply apply the 10th Amendment to God’s green plant. Introduced in June 2018. Joyce & Blumenauer have the House companion bill. HR 6043.
Police resistance still strong, as they are losing 13 billion in wages + 2 billion in civil asset forfeiture, as MJ becomes more legal. Also, the police losing the ‘right’ to search cars and persons, by claiming they smell marijuana.
Marijuana use by teens: The CDC report shows about 19.6 percent of CO high schoolers said they had used marijuana one or more times in the past 30 days, down from 22 percent in 2011, the year before recreational marijuana was legalized in Colorado. The state’s 2017 rate is just slightly below the national average of 19.8 percent.
Fewer teens are employed as drug dealers, due to MJ legalization in 9 states. As expected, the legal MJ states are performing Record expungement of simple MJ arrests.
The American Legion endorsed HR 2020 which moves MJ to Schedule 3.
Since legalization in Colorado, the vehicle search rate of African American drivers 21 and over dropped by nearly half, while the search rate of Hispanic drivers fell by 58 percent. White drivers faced almost two-thirds fewer searches after recreational marijuana was legalized. http://www.businessinsider.com/police-are-searching-far-fewer-cars-in-states-that-have-legalized-marijuana-2017-6
Questions… Concerns?
Howard ‘Cowboy’ Wooldridge, Detective Bath Township, MI (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist @ CitizensOpposingProhibition.org / LEAP.cc
Washington, DC
817-975-1110
