COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of September 6, 2013

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of September 6, 2013

 The enormity of AG Holder’s decision to respect the 10^th Amendment (States’ Rights) regarding Colorado and Washington to regulate, sell and tax marijuana continues to roil, unsettle and stir up DC. So many questions have been generated.  Senator Leahy is going forward with his hearing next Tuesday and some answers may be forth coming from the US Justice Dept.  Stay tuned.

Probably the hat:  At the Leadership Institute’s (training ground for young conservatives) monthly breakfast with about 70 attending, the reporter from the Washington Times sat down across from me.  We had a good chat on the topic and exchanged cards.

Just shoot me now:  I met with a Senate office this week and the aide said one thing that was so disheartening. “I get most of my information from the DEA and what they tell me is a lot different from what you just said.”  YIKES!  Truly I am a Lone Ranger + two.

The aide accepted that the DEA is fighting for its very existence, paychecks, etc. and that reality might alter what they tell Congressional offices.  That COP does not ask for an appropriation/$$$ is still a powerful message in this town.

Legalization coming to more states;  Article at bottom is a roadmap to where/when.

Professional note:  Several of you miss-read my “Dear Boys and Girls” part last week.  I am NOT returning to Texas anytime soon. My mission is still active and we need to pass the repeal bill.  Then I would consider leaving.  Know I will work at this drug prohibition (all of them) until they are in the history books or I draw my last breath.

This week’s stats:

• 1374 Presentations to Congressional staffers..19  this week
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COP stats since inception: August 2009

• 32 Radio Interviews.. this week
• 61 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
• 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
• 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
• 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
•  2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
• 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
• 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.  this week
• 15 major conferences attended..  this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)
• Permanent invitation to 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.   If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution…  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

Pot Legalization Advocates List Target States, Say Obama Policy Helps

Some advocates of marijuana legislation are claiming victory in the Obama administration’s announcement of a laid-back approach to states with softer laws on marijuana, reports USA Today. Political opponents of marijuana legalization can no longer cite the federal government as a reason to squelch reform, said Mason Tvert of the Marijuana Policy Project. Legalization advocates are geared up for 2014 and 2016 elections with ballot initiatives in states, including Alaska, California, Maine, Nevada and Oregon, says Stephen Gutwillig of the Drug Policy Alliance, which advocates a public-health approach to drug use. Tvert expects to see legalization measures by 2016 in Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana and Nevada.

Drug abuse prevention groups say they will work to derail the movement. Arthur Dean of the Community Anti-Drug Coalition, said, “We remain gravely concerned that we as a nation are turning a blind eye to the serious public health and public safety threats associated with widespread marijuana use.” USA Today