Posted June 2nd, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Take my breath away: The ‘bicycle’ lady (brings a mini, fold-up bike on the train) and I have been taking the same train for 10 years now. We always just exchange hellos. After, “How is it going?” she replied not good….her 25 y/o son in Arizona had been physically arrested for four(4) grams of marijuana. Multiple problems with bail, phone calls, finding a lawyer. Her pain was a Tsunami in volume and after I sat down, I couldn’t shake it. A few minutes later the tears came down both cheeks for several minutes. I am becoming an old softie….I am helping her, mostly letting her vent.
At Grover’s meeting I had a good chat with my White House contact.
During the four (4) day Memorial week, I had 16 planned, 30-minute meetings with Senate staffers. It is a morale booster to put in a solid, productive week.
Shaking my head: After my presentation to a Plains State R office chief legal counsel, I asked for questions, comments. ‘ I am the father to three (3) boys and I don’t want them to have any contact with drugs. I can’t support your ideas.’ OMG. I expect that emotional commentary from regular citizens but not from a CLC for a US Senator. IMO and experience, no oratory, no stats, no documentation will ever knock him off his desire for no drugs near his boys, and thus no changes to the drug war.
This week’s stats:
3161 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 16 this week
365 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week upper level White House staffer
02 Meetings – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
307 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week Senator Klobachar (D-MN)
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
.
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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted May 16th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of May 17, 2019
Better late than never: Making my rounds in the Senate, I spotted presidential candidate Amy Klobochar. I was able to introduce myself and COPs. I was mid-sentence about the current legislation (STATES Act), when another part of my brain screamed, she was already a co-sponsor. I paused, thanked her for being a co-sponsor and kept going. FYI, it is considered rude behavior to engage in idle chatter with a Member, unless invited.
How to start a chat: the staffer noticed my buckle, as I was coming down the hall and remarked it was the biggest he had ever seen. The next 8 minutes or so, we discussed the STATES Act and how to go 3100 miles on a horse…all good. PS The ‘LONG RIDER’ buckle at 5 X 4 inches is by far the largest buckle worn by any of the 25,000 lobbyists in the Swamp.
Pull Needed: I informed my professional friend and local VIP Grover Norquist about the meeting last week with a senior, R office.
This week I delivered to all Senate offices a list of pejorative reasons police officers do NOT want MJ legalized. See bottom
This week’s stats:
3145 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 12 this week
307 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week Senator Klobachar (D-MN)
364 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week R Candidate for NC 03 House seat
85 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
01 Meetings – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Reasons Police Officers do not want MARIJUANA legalized:
1. Ability to Search: Using marijuana smell as a claim/lawful reason, officers are able to search essentially any vehicle or person they come in contact with. With legalization – this ability will be severely restrained…as we already see in Colorado.
1A. Racist cops want this tool (prohibition) to hurt people they don’t like.
2.Money: nationwide -the police earn via wages and overtime circa 11-13 billion per year, due to marijuana being illegal. Fear of layoffs due to legalization. Also, the ‘free’ federal $$.
2A. Money: the police earn circa five (5) billion from civil asset forfeiture. Marijuana arrests consistently constitute half of all drug arrests, thus half of the money.
3. Emotional: Officers who have buried colleagues (essentially every cop in the USA), due to a drug raid, shot at a traffic stop involving drug trade – these officers do not want to confront the emotional trauma their partner, friend, colleague died “for nothing,” in vain.
4. Cognitive Dissonance: For 80 years Law Enforcement has demonized marijuana, up to including being as dangerous as heroin. To admit they were wrong, is often impossible for them.
5. In order to be promoted, street cops know they need high arrest numbers. Marijuana arrests are / can be numerous, easy to find and with minor, personal risk.
List prepared by Detective Howard J. Wooldridge, Bath Township, Michigan (retired)
Posted May 12th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of May 3 & 10, 2019
Unhappy husband: On the bike, about to leave a motorcycle rally (500 attending) in Wisconsin, the helmet was on and the bike started, when Lisa, mom w/ a 15 y/o daughter, asked me why legalize heroin. When I replied we could arrest more pedophiles, she high-fived me and expressed thanks. Finally, 2-3 minutes later, as she was giving me a fierce hug (helmet still on), her husband yelled at her it was time to go.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: The meeting took a couple of five (5) years to arrange and it did happen on Friday with a senior, Republican Senate office. Don Murphy of MPP was my wingman for the scheduled 30 minutes which stretched to 40.
Our main argument was that the Senate should pass the clean, 10th Amendment bill (S-1028) to help Republicans avoid more Mia Love type losses (2 term CWoman from Utah, who lost in 2018 by ½ of 1%…per the Lt. Gov. of Utah, medical MJ on the ballot pushed Democratic turn out by upwards of 2%, thus causing her to lose).
So, if the Congress ended fed, MJ prohibition conventional wisdom is a solid ten (10) states would legalize/regulate before the 2020 election. Also, Democratic turnout would be less over-all around the US, as young people would be less likely to vote w/o MJ being an issue (all but Biden have said they would legalize or at least end the fed prohibition). Prez Trump would be given some, begrudging credit for signing the bill.
For Ds who don’t want more Rs in Congress, nor the White House – a victory for marijuana policy could result in losses for D candidates.
On the other hand, an end to the 84 year-running fed, MJ prohibition would result in hundreds of thousands fewer arrests, fewer teens shot selling MJ, more pedophiles and other felons caught (WA and CO are already seeing this per neutral study), fewer minority drivers harassed by racist cops, signal for ending the entire Drug War, etc….
So, know this was not an easy decision, it is extremely complicated and tough call that I made. Moreover, my job, my mission is to end all federal drug prohibition. Full-stop.
PS. On a personal note, it was simply wonderful, a relief to leave DC after 3 straight months of being in the Swamp.
This week’s stats:
3133 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 2 this week
306 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 03 this week (CMan Buck R-CO, CMan Carbajal D-CA, CMan McClintock R-CA)
01 Meetings – monthly House MJ coordinating meet
COP stats since inception: August 2009
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
363 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews.
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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Apply the Tenth Amendment to Marijuana
HR-2093 & S-1028
Washington, D.C. – April 5, 2019 U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) & House Members Dave Joyce (R-OH} and Earl Blumenauer {D-OR} reintroduced the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act (STATES Act) with broad bipartisan support that spans the political spectrum.
• Amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) so that – as long as states and tribes comply with a few basic protections – its provisions no longer apply to any person acting in compliance with State or tribal laws relating to cannabis activities.
Posted April 24th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of April 26, 2019
Patient they were: 3 high school seniors were in the Congress to learn how it worked, when they spied me talking to someone in the cafeteria. It took me 4-5 minutes to realize they were waiting to talk to me (I was wearing the heroin shirt). So, I broke off the chat with another lobbyist.
The students and I ended up having a nice chat for 5-6 minutes while standing up near the registers > highly visible to a 100 odd folks eating lunch. All good.
Let me be clear: I am working every day to complete the COP mission on the Hill and go home to Texas. Full stop. YES, I love my job and NO, not enough to prolong it.
I am taking the next 07 days off to visit some people and ask for their advice on how I should proceed on the Hill….and another 7 days to visit family and friends. More Executive Time.
This week I completed distributing the bill info to the Senate of employ the 10th Amendment S-1028 for MJ.
This week’s stats:
3131 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 8 this week
01 Meetings – Make presentation to the main Frederick, MD Rotary…about 120 attending. Went well, people are receptive to bold ideas.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
303 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
363 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews.
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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Apply the Tenth Amendment to Marijuana
HR-2093 & S-1028
Washington, D.C. – April 5, 2019 U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) & House Members Dave Joyce (R-OH} and Earl Blumenauer {D-OR} reintroduced the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act (STATES Act) with broad bipartisan support that spans the political spectrum.
• Amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) so that – as long as states and tribes comply with a few basic protections – its provisions no longer apply to any person acting in compliance with State or tribal laws relating to cannabis activities.
Posted April 22nd, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of April 19, 2019
Not Sunny, not optimistic: I received intelligence this week that the 2019 flagship bill (employ the 10th Amendment and repeal the federal prohibition of marijuana) is being actively opposed not just by some pols like Senator Cory Booker, but also several, major drug reform organizations. The clean, simple half page bill to give back to the States the responsibility for MJ I have promoted the past 8 years – has the votes in the House and the Senate. We believe Trump would sign it.
Alas, the bill has a very slim chance of that happening. The Democrats and drug reform orgs want to load up the bill like a Christmas tree putting on ornaments which will, without a doubt, cause our Republican friends in the Senate to vote no. So, I have a decision to make for 2019 and 2020; continue to push the 10th Amendment for MJ, or revert to a broad educational effort against the Drug War / Drug Prohibition (like I did from 2005 to 2010 in Congress).
NOTE: The ideas of Cory Booker and others absolutely have merit to address downstream evils of our MJ prohibition. But putting these ideas in the 10th Bill doom its chances and we will achieve zip, zero, zilch these next two years. Those ideas should be in a stand-alone bill, IMHO. I won’t put the motivations of Booker and my friends in drug reform in writing, as they are also not pretty. There is a reason they call my work area “The Swamp.”
This week I finished the House receiving info on the clean simple 10th Bill. Copy below.
This week’s stats:
3123 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 18 this week
01 Meetings – Grover Norquist,
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 this week. (podcast for MS audience)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
303 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 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
363 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews.
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 drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Apply the Tenth Amendment to Marijuana
HR-2093 & S-1028
Washington, D.C. – April 5, 2019 U.S. Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) & House Members Dave Joyce (R-OH} and Earl Blumenauer {D-OR} reintroduced the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act (STATES Act) with broad bipartisan support that spans the political spectrum.
• Amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) so that – as long as states and tribes comply with a few basic protections – its provisions no longer apply to any person acting in compliance with State or tribal laws relating to cannabis activities.
