COPs on the Hill -Stories from the week of January 29, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 29, 2010

 Hey, that guy is pretty good:   I was sitting in the crime subcommittee chamber of the Virginia House listening to my mentor Eric Sterling speak to the Members, when the Army veteran who would soon address the Members on the issue of medical marijuana whispered about how good Eric was.  I smiled.  Read this analysis by the event’s organizer Michael Kravitz.

 “Eric Sterling www.cjpf.org/, www.LEAP.cc was the star witness in favor of Decriminalization HB1134. Eric rebuffed the straw men* that Delegate Bell threw in his way of 43 year olds selling to 3rd graders etc.  with righteous indignation and roundly scolded the Delegates for their grade school pranks* of putting a tray of brownies* in the Delegates lounge or disrupting Delegate Morgan’s House floor speech with Cheech and Chong jokes showing that he was paying close attention to local politics which hit pay dirt as Delegate Bell’s posse* had pulled those pranks. Eric said that such jokes and pranks showed they believed that marijuana use wasn’t a real problem and referred to real problems such as swine flu.”

 Eric was able to make the SubCommittee accept that there would have to at least be some savings from this measure and he effectively destroyed the straw men arguments* set up one and again by Delegate Bell.

 Where is a cop when you need one?:  Highly significant at the hearing, no police officer spoke against the bill. 

 Do we ever thank our spouses enough for their support?:   I left the house at 0720 to ride to Richmond, VA with Eric to testify.  Given the usual delays, we did not testify until 6PM.  Between my prepared remarks and answering questions, I ‘worked’ about 6 minutes today.   Karen greeted me at the door at 11:00PM.  I felt great! (see below why)  There is also a URL for a TV program where I am seen testifying.  (Do I need to buy a rug?)*…they made me take my hat off!!!

 Hey buddy, can you spare me a dime* or a speaker?  A month ago I asked my DEA Senate buddy, if he or another agent could take the prohibition side of a one hour marijuana debate.   He replied that the DEA no longer provides speakers but was nice enough to give me the contact info of the Drug Czar’s office (ONDC).   I made contact there but for a noon to 1PM debate, they had no one anywhere in the country who could make that time.   Right!!!

 Some reform collleagues gave me the names of several civilian organizations that might find someone.  Finally David Evans of the Drug Free America Foundation stepped up.   He put up about 30 straw dogs points (outright lies, half-truths, unpublished science, etc) which I spent my time knocking down.   It was almost fun.

 *COPs on tv: http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-pot-bills-die,0,7060451.story

 *pranks = Streich

*straw men  = Scheingegner

*brownies = kleiner Schokoladenkuchen (zum Streich & Witz mann fragt oft, ob darin Kannabis gäbe)

*posse = wie im Wildwesternfilm..Gehilfer des Sheriffs

*rug = Toupet = Haar

* Hey buddy, can you spare me a dime = was ein Bettler bittet um Geld (ganz früher..jetzt ein Dollar statt 10 Pfennig)

 Full analysis by Michael Krawitz, event organizer

 There were three main reasons why the day was historic, first because medical marijuana and decriminalization haven’t been subject to debate at the Virginia Legislature since the 1970’s when they looked into the marijuana laws and recommended decriminalization, see the commissions report just below.    And near that same time in the late nineteen seventies the current Virginia medical marijuana law was passed.

 Second, yesterday was historic because it was the first time that I have ever seen where Bills that would change marijuana penalties were debated and not one person stood up to oppose!! The union of prosecuting attorneys represented by a Commonwealth’s attorney from Abington, Virginia spoke to the decriminalization Bill only to recommend changes so that they would stand un-opposed. Of course the changes were dramatic but that is the first time I have ever had the Commonwealth’s Attorneys work with us on anything.

 The third thing that is worth mentioning is historic by it’s not happening, neither the Virginia State Police or any other police spoke against the Bills.    No one at all spoke against the medical marijuana Bill!!

 Activists and supporters numbering into the thousands have expressed their support and thanks to the great speakers who travelled, some a great distance, to testify. Some highlights below.  I think all the speakers will agree that it was one of the most difficult forums that they have ever spoke in.

 Jon Gettman, a Virginia researcher and assistant professor with a PH.D. spoke to the decrim Bill on the cost savings estimations and other facts of note to the committee. Delegate Bell led the group of Delegates Bell, Gilbert and Cline in assailing the numbers. Some of which were later supported by testimony from the Commonwealth’s Attorney who said that the savings in not issuing public defenders to the [to be] non criminal cases would be a significant savings alone.

 Retired police detective Howard Wooldridge www.citizensopposingprohibition.org/ spoke in favor of decriminalization from his years of experience as a cop. He was torn apart pretty hard by Delegate Bell’s posse but again his words were backed up by the CommonWealth’s Attorney who also said that there would be significant instant savings that wouldn’t need to go back through appropriations in that cops that had time freed up from marijuana work could instantly apply that time to other activities.

 Howard really shone on TV where the major local affiliate spotlighted his testimony about how decrim would enhance public safety and his testimony that marijuana was not a problem and that in all the thousands of calls he answered over the years, some even involving a death, where alcohol was the culprit marijuana had never been the cause for his dispatch. See link below:

 http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-pot-bills-die,0,7060451.story

 Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

 Thank you, 

 Howard

US VA: Gloucester Delegate’s Marijuana Bills Voted Down

US VA: Gloucester Delegate’s Marijuana Bills Voted Down

COPs on the Hill -Stories from the week of January 22, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 22, 2010

That is one small step for drug reform:  This week the Senate’s judiciary committee passed the Webb Commission bill out to the whole Senate by a unanimous vote.   When it will be taken up and voted on by the whole Senate is unknown at this time.  The concept of this bill– a wide-ranging discussion of our prohibition strategy—has been what I have been urging the Congress to do since my arrival in 2005.  It feels very, very good to see the concept moving forward.

 Slow week = more time to read and write:  As I said previously, the last 30 offices in the Senate are the hardest.  I made 6 presentations this week.  I wrote an oped.  I had more time to read.  I just finished a most excellent book:    Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?  To be able to discuss marijuana prohibition like an expert, read this book.  I learned a lot and I am my 13^th year of activism. 

 At least bring up the issue:  Below* is a sample of letters I am sending out every week.   These are Rs who come to Grover Norquist’s brunch and seek approval and funds.  I also chat with them before or after they speak, opening with something like,’ So, what is your position on the War on Drugs/Modern Prohibition?  Keep going or repeal it like 1933?’ 

 Consider being a member of COPs at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

 Thank you, 

 Howard

 *Dear Mr. Warner

 I saw you speak at Grover Norquist’s brunch this week.   

 You probably know that a solid 70% of felony crime in West Virginia is caused by drug prohibition – the 40 year running, trillion dollar Bridge to Nowhere. 

 I hope you will bring to the Congress a drug policy based on these simple concepts:  liberty, property rights, limited federal involvement.

 If you would like concrete ideas to lower costs even further and improve public safety, please just ask.

 I am at your service.

 Sincerely,

 Howard

  (I was wearing the large cowboy hat at Grover’s)

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

 Thank you, 

 Howard

Howard

Detective/Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional &  immoral  domestic policy since slavery  & Jim Crow.

COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

Slow Week on the Hill:  I have been working on the Senate  side for two months and have presented to 70 offices.  The last 30 are always the hardest, as the aides simply do not respond to my email requests for a meeting.  This week I only presented to four offices with four scheduled for next week.    It is a delicate balancing act between being a bit forceful without becoming annoying.   They rarely say no, rather they just ignore you, hoping you go away.

MPP celebrates:   Karen convinced me that my attendance at the MPP 15^th anniversary gala was necessary.   Yes it was 250 but sometimes you just have to spend the money.   Note to self…..always listen to Karen.    So I put on my tux and…….

In the happy hour room, I was near the entry door and thus able to have a five minute conversation with two term Governor Gary Johnson (R- NM) and his aide.  We talked about him running in 2012 on the R ticket and how Misty and I would organize an equestrian brigade to help.  Note:  I had met the Governor in the fall of 2008 in Santa Fe, NM when he invited me to lunch.

Next came Congressman Steve Cohen whom I had met in Nashville at a reception when he was still a state senator (thanks to my friend Paul Kuhn of Nashville for sneaking me into that reception).   The Congressman and I had an excellent chat.

Do I know you?:  When I  entered the dining room, I saw at my assigned table my old buddy, Jack Cole of LEAP,  already seated.  I just laughed internally, found a seat not too close and we both behaved ourselves. LOL

Let’s coordinate our efforts:  This week I contacted the lobbyists for DPA, MPP and NORML & asked them to come together on Friday.  The topic was how, what, when, where and who to introduce a simple bill in the House to repeal federal prohibition.  Six of us met for two hours at DPA HQ and hashed* things out.     As you know, COPs take a ‘marijuana first’ strategy in ending all prohibition. 

I am not at liberty to discuss details but it was a productive meeting that will bear fruit.  Stay tuned.

*Hashed things out = über alles diskutieren und erledigen

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you, 

Howard

Detective/Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of January 8, 2010

COPs  on the Hill 

Stories from the week of January 8, 2010

 Faux pas or How reform wins?:   Last week I recognized a member of McConnell’s (R-KY & Minority Leader) staff who every week briefs those who attend Grover Norquist’s brunch.   Of course I could not think of her name as we approached each other near Union Station.  “Senate lady.  How you doing?”  I called out.   She did recognize at least the hat and responded.

At Grover’s this week she told the 120 folks about how she was hailed as the “Senate Lady” near Union Station and had hoped no one in ear shot had taken that to mean something X rated.   Everyone laughed.  As she moving forward to address the group, she spied me and I sheepishly raised my hand as the guilty one.  My face has not been that red since I rode Misty across the Utah desert.   Her name is Lanier & shall NOT forget it ever.   On the flip side,* she won’t forget me either. 

How do you measure success/progress?:   At a coffee shop near my home, ‘off-duty’ (LOL) & wearing my shirt, I became engaged in a chat.  The person asked how I measure progress.  I related this story as one method. 

Before meeting the Senate staffer from a western state, the receptionist and I engaged in a chat.  Her husband had retired as the commander of that state’s police.  “Not to butter your toast,*  but I must tell you that your state was the best at demonstrating hospitality to my horse and me.  It took 14 days to cross your state and 12 nights someone took us in.”

 I told her how I had ‘backed up’ a state trooper on a traffic stop in the middle of nowhere which her husband may have heard of. (how often does a guy on a horse stand by a traffic stop to make sure the officer is okay?)

 The next day I gave her the 12 pages out of Misty’s book which detailed the hospitality and adventures of riding thru her state (included two nasty dust storms).     Upon leaving, she stated I was an effective speaker for my issue and wished me good luck on my mission.  NOTE:  at that moment I wish I had been able to give her LEAP card to give to her husband but…..

 To the guy at the coffee shop, I summarized by saying.  One never knows when a contact like this bears fruit but statistically one knows that a certain percentage do. 

 *on the flip side  = on the other hand

*butter your toast* = schmeicheln

  Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

  Thank you,

 Howard

 Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772