Cannabis Cop: Stories from the week of October 25, 2013

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of October 25, 2013

Missed the shuttle, missed the first bus = Perfect timing:  Most of this week was spent in Denver for the bi-annual DPA (Drug Policy Alliance) conference.  The Ramada Inn was 40% of the price of the venue hotel, so you know where I stayed. 

Arriving almost late, I was reviewing some literature at a table, when the gentleman asked if I would mind being interviewed.  He was from Canada NPR – Quebec…Naturellement we spoke français the next 10 minutes..  All those hours on Saturday I spend at a café chatting in French with others paid off again. 7 hours later the French reporter for ‘Le Monde’ and I did a 40 minute interview.

Since Colorado has legal marijuana, I exited the plane with my all drugs shirt on …wearing it for the first time in four (4) years.  It felt really good, knowing that the effort that Misty and I made last fall bore real fruit.  The conference was great for networking, chatting with many about current and future strategies at the local, state and national levels. 

FYI:  I have finished my review of COP strategies in light of the August 2013 decision by AG Holder.  Near unanimous opinion of my peers in DC that I should make no changes for at least a year.  And so it will be. 

This week’s stats:

• 46 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.  04 this week

• 35 Radio Interviews..   01 this week (NPR Canada)
• 23 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… 01 this week (Le Monde –France)
• 64 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 01 this week (Al Jazeera)
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COP stats since inception: August 2009

• 1409 Presentations to Congressional staffers..00 this week
• 46 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
• 16 major conferences attended..  this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)  this week
• 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
• 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000)
• 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
• 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: 

• www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition
• POB 543
• Buckeystown, MD 21717