Posted July 15th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of June 21 & June 28, 2013
Nice Legs!: Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-R) was in his gym clothes walking down the hall on Monday. “Nice legs.” I said. We stopped and had a one minute chat with me telling him about COP & HR 1523 to let “let Texas run Texas.” He repeated the bill number as he walked away which is unusual.
A few minutes later I was headed towards his office to drop off a copy of the bill (one sentence) and my business card. He happened to be going in the opposite direction again. He said he could not support the bill because it was about marijuana and he believes ‘someone smoking marijuana should be put in jail.’ He clapped me on the shoulder and kept going. The Congressman has long been a nanny-state liberal on this issue.
Unable to let it go, I said, “And teenagers will die this week selling marijuana.” As irony, a 17 y/o was shot dead this week because of his employment as a MJ dealer in North Carolina (full story at very bottom)
Grover Norquist goes public: On the 17th SSDP.org (Students for Sensible Drug Policy) hosted an event in Rayburn House Office Bldg. in coordination with seniors who had come to lobby for medical marijuana. After Congressman Polis spoke Norquist spoke of the need to apply the 10th Amendment (states’ rights) to marijuana policy. I am very confident that Grover does all he can (behind the scenes) to promote this idea. IMHO, he is the most powerful voice we have. He is both loved and feared….a great combo for federal politics.
Grover’s brunch: At his request I made a 3 minute presentation on the progress/updates from Colorado & Washington state, as those two states prepare the system to sell marijuana to adults for personal use. The handout I gave the conservative group is at the bottom.
Ben Droz – lobbyist – (only one for this issue) of http://www.votehemp.com/ gave his overview of ending the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. The House this week voted to allow universities to do research with hemp in the states (17) which allow its production. It was an historical vote. The first in 76 years to allow the growing of hemp.
Being prepared is 90% of success: I spent the bulk of the second week contacting Senate offices and arranging meetings. It will be my first effort in the Senate this session. I am happy to report that I have 31 meetings set up for the next two weeks.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 1244 Presentations to Congressional staffers..11 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
- 56 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 71 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) = this week
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..01 this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 1 this week
- 13 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, 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:
An undercover drug sting in the parking lot of a Charlotte, North Carolina, elementary school ended up with one person killed and one person wounded, and a community wondering why police chose that particular location for their operation. Jaquaz Walker, 17, becomes the 17th person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year.
According to reports from WSOC-TV and WBTV 3, police set up a marijuana buy between an undercover police officer, an informant, and two teenagers last Tuesday afternoon. Police said that during the drug deal, Walker pulled a gun and shot the informant in the shoulder in an attempt to rob him.
The undercover police officer then shot Walker in the head, killing him. The teen who accompanied Walker fled, but was arrested later.
“You know, you have 15, 16 year old kids out here wielding firearms, that’s a very dangerous situation,” said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe, who also defended the decision to do the deal in an elementary school parking lot. “Anytime you conduct an undercover operation, what’s a good location? Whether it’s a shopping mall or neighborhood, there is no real perfect location.”
COLORADO MARIJUANA FACTS
The Governor signed six MJ related bills into law in May 2013
- Retail stores will open on January 1, 2014 for sale for personal use. In 2014 only established medical stores can sell to the general public. In 2015 normal entrepreneurs can open a store and sell.
- Residents can purchase up to one ounce. Non-residents may buy only a quarter ounce.
- There is no data base to track purchases. Thus, one could go store to store w/o worry.
- Minimum age to purchase is 21.
- Cannot sell MJ in a store with normal food and drink = no Amsterdam style coffeehouses.
- Marijuana magazines must be kept out of sight…like pornography mags.
- Potency is unrestricted and a label must be on the product to alert buyer to % of THC. The MJ must be sold in child-proof packaging.
- Adults may legally grow six (6) plants. Many growers are “doing 5-8 over” the legal limit. They are marketing the MJ via out-of-state friends who visit and take home a pound or two.
- There will be a 10% excise (sin) tax on MJ and normal sales taxes for the state and local governments.
- Seed to sale video surveillance of building. Same as with medical stores. The State can view any store at any time to monitor what is being done. Cameras cover every square foot of the building. Vertical integration encouraged (grow, process and sell under one roof).
- Cities and counties can prohibit stores in their jurisdiction. This does not impact home growing.
- Set a limit of 5 nanograms in the blood as a presumption of intoxicated driving – same as WA.
- Marketing materials may NOT contain cartoon characters, etc. in ads or packaging.
- Source: House bills 1042, 1238, 1317, 1318 & 1325 and Senate bill 283.
Washington State Marijuana Facts (proposed)
- Home growing is not allowed.
- Set a limit of 5 nanograms in the blood as a presumption of intoxicated driving.
- Stores must be at least 1000 feet from a school. Stores will be stand alone (no 7-11 type sales).
- Adults 21 and over may purchase up to one ounce of MJ, 16 ounces of food injected with MJ or 72 ounces of liquid infused with MJ. Sales are not tracked, allowing adults go to store to store.
- Assumptions are for a retail price of $12/gram = $326 per ounce. The black market will easily sell for less. (indoor, high % THC marijuana can be grown for $1-2.00 per gram)
- Advertising will be restricted. No advertising that appeals to young people/children. Other measures TBA.
- The state liquor control board will supervise the MJ stores. No vertical integration. Producers and processors may not operate a retail operation. Licenses will be issued beginning 12/1/13. Residency rules apply.
- The LCB is about to issue the draft regulations (on July 3, 2013) seeking official public comment before finalizing the rules.
- Restriction on time of sales: 0600 till 0200…much like alcohol.
Warning labels: (example) Do not smoke if you’re pregnant; no use prior to operating a vehicle or heavy machinery. Consult with your doctor before using if you have a prior heart condition, are at high risk for stroke, or high blood pressure, or have a history of mental illness. Consult with your doctor if you have Hep C because of the possible risk of fibrosis…
Initiative 502, approved by a 57-43 margin, and which became effective on December 6, 2012, delegated to the WA State Liquor Control Board (LCB) to authority to promulgate regulations to license and control the production, processing and sale of marijuana for general adult use. The regulations must be finalized by12/1/13
Roger Goodman, vice-chair of the House Judiciary Comm. in Olympia was the major contributor to this report.
Posted July 15th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of June 7 & 14, 2013
Sheriff. You have a minute? Almost late for my next appointment, a staffer with four interns in tow called out to me. Remembering my name is nearly impossible, so in such a moment they use either sheriff or cowboy.
The staffer wanted these four college students to meet me. The staffer’s 20 second bio of me included riding my horse across America and representing the police who did not want to waste time on marijuana. With the clock ticking I answered a question or two and zoomed off.
Mr. New York. How are you? Leaving a presentation, I spotted Congressman Charlie Rangel walking to the elevator. I greeted him and thanked him for his co-sponsorship of the marijuana repeal bill from last session. I left him at the elevator and kept going. Etiquette allows me to ‘walk’ with a Member of Congress to the door or the elevator and then the chat is over.
Es un placer a conocerle, Señor embajador: I missed a Grover Norquist meeting to attend a seminar at a think tank American Enterprise Institute (www.aei.org). The Mexican ambassador spoke and answered questions the first hour.
Arriving early and sitting in the front, I was able to ask the first question. When the event ended, I was able to meet the ambassador and have a one minute chat in Spanish. In diplomatic speak he said he and his country do understand that it is American drug prohibition causing the massive violence and suffering. (not the use of drugs)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 1233 Presentations to Congressional staffers..16 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
- 56 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 71 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) = this week
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 31 Radio Interviews..1 this week
- 36 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 39 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 1 this week
- 13 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, 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. 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:
Posted June 6th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of May 24 & 31, 2013
Can’t talk = can’t work: Thru several days of rain and cold, I pedaled without becoming sick. As I left Georgia, I had my worst case of laryngitis ever. It lasted the whole first week = I did paperwork and attended one seminar at The Urban Institute. The drug czar, a chief of police and an expert in why prison sentences should not be so long made up the panel. Questions from the audience were screened which meant that nothing allowed which questioned the concept of drug prohibition. Except for some networking, it was a wasted half a day.
Purpose driven life: Last week the Congress was “working in district” = recess and I was able to do 20 presentations. It felt extra good to be walking the corridors of Congress.
Marketing strategy: At the end of the day walking back to Union Station I spotted a Senate aide I have met several times…and his two colleagues moving toward me. He recognized me and asked how the legalization was going. I replied, ‘Ever better since I began passing out free samples after my meetings! Would you like a free sample?’..pointing to my briefcase. He laughed and said not today. I imagine he took a minute to explain to his companions who I was, etc…. All this was done at a walk, never breaking stride. Everyone here is in a hurry and has something to do/ accomplish, EXCEPT it seems Members of Congress.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 1217 Presentations to Congressional staffers..20 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
- 56 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 71 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) = this week
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 30 Radio Interviews..0 this week
- 36 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 38 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
- 13 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, 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. 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:
Posted May 29th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the Spring of 2013
Prepping the rookies: In my travels in the car and on the bicycle I spent a pre-arranged two hours with a sitting sheriff who would like to go public with his view that marijuana should be handled like alcohol. I provided him with a number of articles, my published opeds and government produced documents.
What I wanted most, was to give the sheriff the toughest questions that reporters ask, when a VIP goes public. Luckily, my friend Tom Angell of the www.MarijuanaMajority.com provided me the link from the Marijuana Policy Project (www.mpp.org).. It is an excellent 20 minute read containing 20 of the toughest questions and answers.
Here is the link: http://www.mpp.org/assets/pdfs/library/Effective-Arguments-for-T-R.pdf
NRA Convention: I interrupted my bicycle journey in Nashville and flew down to Houston for five days. I had many good chats with about 80 of the 70,0000 attendees. Whether they agreed with the COP position or not, ALL agreed that it should be a 10th Amendment controlled/States Rights issue. I also picked up a new summer, cowboy hat which I badly needed. The assault weapon I handled at the show – I did not buy.
Make someone smile today: I was near Dublin, Georgia on my bike in the morning, when a large van carrying prisoners passed me and stopped at the light. I hurried to catch up and stop at the light also. I turned my body so the inmates could read the shirt… smiles broke out and one guy flashed the 4-20 salute which I returned. I imagine that the chain gang work was a bit easier that day, knowing that at least one cop would end the Drug War.
Trail’s End: On Thursday the 16th of May I touched the Atlantic Ocean ending the journey of 3100 miles and 7 weeks of pedaling. The Savannah NBC station did a short piece on my ride, combining the footage of this trip with the first Misty ride from 10 years ago. Brought a tear to my eye (the TV station was the first to film my horse trip).
The clip is a minute long: http://www.wsav.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8937079#.UaY-bh1T5f4.gmail
Karen met me and we drove home together. What stroke? Now it is back to work!
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 1198 Presentations to Congressional staffers..this week
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..01 this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine this week
- 56 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 02 this week
- 71 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) = this week
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 30 Radio Interviews..01 this week
- 36 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 38 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
- 13 major conferences attended.. 01 this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, 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. 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:
Posted April 11th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of April 5, 2013
See Karen shaking her head: I made the mistake of whining to Karen I had 11 appointments on Wednesday….7 is my usual maximum, since it become very difficult to make all my points and not say the same thing twice…after 7. Oh well. I was able to speak clearly the whole day and survived a week of 33 appointments. I had a splash of Crown this week, as I was able to meet and chat with two Members of the House.
I was wrong: During my first year on the Hill a staffer informed me that his office was against my proposal for several reasons; one was that the marijuana industry would eventually want subsidies for their crops of hemp and MJ. I disagreed with him. He was right. I was wrong.
Recently an enthusiastic supporter of industrial hemp said we in reform should ask for cash supports for the hemp crop, until it could make a profit on its own. Oops. Right. Borrow more money from China to support sugar, cotton and HEMP growing.. Yikes!
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 1193 Presentations to Congressional staffers..33 this week
- 33 Appearances on major TV networks..0 this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine … 0 this week
- 54 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week
- 71 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) = this week
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 28 Radio Interviews..0 this week
- 36 brief chats with Members of Congress..2 this week
- 38 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
- 12 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, 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. 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:
