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
Posted August 20th, 2026 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of June 19, 2026
Note: I was on vacation the last month
Make a suggestion? I had a several minute chat with a gentleman from Central America and candidate for the VP of that country. We discussed the long-running issue of his country being used as a transit point for S. American drugs being exported to the USA. I suggested the long-term solution of legalize all drugs to destroy the DTOs (drug trafficking orgs), their corruption and violence.
Opportunity: At the Grover meeting was a rep from the CATO institute. Later I spoke to her. There are a number of 2-year contract positions open. Essentially, a candidate would sum up what area of policy they would like to research and publish. I asked and she said yes that one could do a deep dive into the USA’s prohibition / war on drugs policy. Applications are being received until 13 July. If you or anyone you know is interested, I’ll provide the contact information.
Meetings this week: Grover Norquist right of center meeting
7314 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 01 this week
506 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, … 01 this week: VP candidate for a Latin America country
COP stats since inception: August 2009
404 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
246 interviews and reports in minor media … 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
Posted May 10th, 2026 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of April 24 and May 01 ,08, 2026
Status of Marijuana: As you know the President signed an executive order moving medical use of cannabis to Schedule 3 of the DEA system of classification. Please know COP and all major organizations (minus ASA -Americans for Safe Access) have always and still do push for DE-schedule. COP will continue to advocate for De-Schedule which would put the green plant in the boat as alcohol and tobacco.
My best info is: there is still no hard and fast regulations surrounding the implementation of the Schedule 3 classification. This is unfolding as I write.
Personal Note: I was unable to walk the halls these past weeks. My left *&^% hip was barking loudly. Also, going on a planned 3-week vacation.. Next newsletter will be early June. I will work straight thru the summer and until the Congress adjourns for the election.
Meetings this week: 3 Grover Norquist right of center meetings
404 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week WY Congresswoman Hageman (odds on favorite be a Senator next year)
Good chat with the Republican Governor of a western state
7313 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this weeks
506 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, … 03 this week: Republican candidates for the US House.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
246 interviews and reports in minor media … 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
