Posted August 21st, 2026 by hiwayhowie
Slow: still running at less than half speed this month. Damn!
Quality counts: I did have an excellent long chat with the Legislative Director for Congressman Jamie Raskin, probably the next chairman of the House Judiciary Comm. There will a lot of marijuana and other prohibition bills introduced in January, if we have an election and the Democrats take control
B. Another excellent 30-minute chat with the advisor whose boss is the chairman of the House Health Comm. She was very receptive to the COP proposal to make drugs a medical versus criminal issue for simple users of illegal drugs. She liked my idea of “Pro-Life” for adults.
Meetings this week: Grover Norquist right of center meeting (04)
7346 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 22 this month
COP stats since inception: August 2009
405 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
507 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, … 0 this week
102 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
247 interviews and reports in minor media … this week
34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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
Media: 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, Stern
* 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 August 21st, 2026 by hiwayhowie
Another Slow Week: The House recessed a week early and out 5 weeks till Labor Day. Hopefully, the pace will pick up.
On a Personal Note
I’ll be stepping back from walking the halls of Congress for a while — it’s time for a hip replacement, tentatively scheduled for September, followed by a healing period. I’m looking forward to coming back stronger.
In the meantime, this won’t slow down the work too much. I will hobble to the Grover Norquist meeting on Wednesdays via my fiancé driving me to the front door. I remain fully committed to serving as a resource for Congress the news media making the case for legalizing and regulating all illegal drugs. I will adopt the Covid protocol of phone presentations only. I will continue to be available for questions, conversations, or interviews throughout my recovery.
Thank you for your continued support — I’ll see you back on the Hill before long.
Meetings this week: Grover Norquist right of center meeting
7324 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 03 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
405 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
507 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, … 0 this week
102 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
247 interviews and reports in minor media … this week
34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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
Media: 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, Stern
* 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 August 20th, 2026 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill: Stories from the weeks of July 17, 2026
Seize the Moment: I was headed to an appointment, when I spotted the former chair of the House committee on health waiting for the elevator. I engaged. Surprised I was,, when he agreed that citizens with a drug addiction need medical help versus more jail time/punishment. The door to the elevator opened and he was gone. May I say I am the King of the 45 second conversation? LOL
Thundering Silence: May I say with authority that in the highways and biways and corridors of power in DC, Trump’s name is spoken out loud as often as was Lord Voldermort (the Dark Lord of the Harry Potter series). What was it that I learned as a child? If you can’t say something nice, say silent.
Meetings this week: Grover Norquist right of center meeting
405 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week Buddy Carter (R-GA)
7321 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 08 this week
507 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, … 01 this week. State Senator from Arkansas.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
102 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
247 interviews and reports in minor media … this week
34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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
Media: 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, Stern
* 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 August 20th, 2026 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill: Stories from the weeks of July 3 and 10, 2026
Terrorists or Cannabis?: I seized the opportunity (at Grover’s) to have a solid chat with a conservative, French politician in town for a conference. France is one of the most resistant countries in western Europe to move away from the prohibition model. I stated that my French colleagues could do a better job against terrorists, if they stopped chasing cannabis. I finished my mentioning it was the 10th anniversary of a terrorist attack in Nice. (guy grabbed 10 ton truck, drove down the wide sidewalk near the beach and murdered 86 civilians.)
The following week I had a good chat with a politician from Bavaria. This part of Germany is well-known for being resistant to change in drug policy.
Brain Function: When I spoke to the guys above in their language, I was delighted that my French and German came out fluent, using the correct vocabulary. I swear my brain goes into overdrive for a few minutes to help me. All good.
Meetings this week: Grover Norquist right of center meetings
7321 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 07 this weeks (still Not hearing from aides like I have in the past) frustrating
506 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, … 02 this week. Candidates for the US House
COP stats since inception: August 2009
404 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
102 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
247 interviews and reports in minor media … this week
34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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
Media: 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, Stern
* 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 August 20th, 2026 by hiwayhowie
Something in the water or air?: Since returning from vacation, I have sent 100 personal emails to House staffers. Only 4 responded and a meeting set up..over my 20 years on the Hill, the response rate was always about 40% Ouch!
Granted, there are no drug policy / war on drugs bills that will get a hearing this session….still it is discouraging.
During my visit to the House for the one meeting – 3 staffers entered the same elevator…the guy asked what a Long Rider buckle meant. I gave a brief description. The woman said, “I read your book!!” I was flabbergasted. We had a good chat.
Her brother was an intern at the Grover meeting, we talked and he bought the book that Misty wrote.
Meetings this week: Grover Norquist right of center meeting
7314 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 01 this week
247 interviews and reports in minor media … 01 this week – radio
COP stats since inception: August 2009
404 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
506 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, … 0 this week
102 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
34 major conferences attended – CPAC 2024, (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
Media: 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, Stern
* 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
