Posted February 27th, 2022 by hiwayhowie
I had a good day: on the 23rd I made my bi-annual presentation on the state of the War on Drugs to the center-right group of Mr. Norquist. Grover asked me 4 questions during my 4 minutes, as he is keenly interested (as a Libertarian) in the topic. Some of the factoids below.
There were 4 candidates for Congress in the audience. Later I was able to speak to two of them directly. One agreed completely with the concept of drugs becoming a health issue versus criminal; the other was silent.
| Weekly Activities:
3750 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 07 this week
408 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 04 this week –
93 Radio Interviews… 01 this week..central PA talk radio station
Meetings: 2 Grover Norquist center-right
1 zoom conference at CATO regarding new ideas on the heroin OD crisis
COP stats since inception: August 2009
334 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week –
208 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week.
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 Tribune, 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.”
* 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
|
Past: Present: Future
Past: 51 years after Nixon declared the policy – The War on Drugs has been the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery and Jim Crow
Present: one cop in 12 is a full-time narcotics officer. Every street cop is a part-time narc, as they search millions of cars each for drugs
1.5 million in prison for reasons which touch drug prohibition
WOD has been very effective as a method to cause voter suppression
WOD has been somewhat effective in suppressing the right to own a gun
37 states have med MJ; 18 states – 50% of USA population has access to legal MJ
400,000 employed in cannabis industries…roughly 25 billion in sales.
Car searches down over 50% in those state which have legalized MJ
Future:
The future is decrim which Oregon has had for a year. Results:
80% reduction in police action (tickets for simple possession)
80% reduction in vehicle searches
No reports of increase in use/nor DUI drugs/nor extra car crashes
4 states will legalize adult, MJ use this year
9 states have pending bills to go Oregon decrim
17 states have defelonized simple possession, incl OK and UT
Magic mushroom, hallucinogens are being decrimed or legalized by cities and states all over USA
Posted February 21st, 2022 by hiwayhowie
May I take some credit? I had an excellent chat on Feb 1 with an aide to CMan McGovern (D-MA). 2 days later he became a co-sponsor of the Decrim Bill – HR 4020. Coincidence?
Every Little Edge: At Grover yet another candidate for the House made her pitch. She would like to be the first Latina to represent her State. After a brief chat, I gave her my COP business card with a short message in Spanish (apply 10th Amendment to Marijuana) on the back.
FWIW: 9 states have bills introduced Oregon-styled total drug decrim bills.
| Weekly Activities:
3743 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 06 this week
334 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week – Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ)
404 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 02 this week – A state rep from NC and another from
Meetings: 1 Grover Norquist center-right
COP stats since inception: August 2009
92 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
208 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week.
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 Tribune, 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.”
* 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 February 21st, 2022 by hiwayhowie
New Generation – Hope For: I asked the Congressional candidate to apply the 10th Amendment to marijuana and all drugs. I asked the candidate to consider having citizens with drug problems see a doctor versus a jail cell (standard pitch on my part).
The response was swift and without a pause; ‘Absolutely to both ideas. It is past time to have police do police work and leave drug issues to the medical community.’ Sweet, sweet music to my ears. And FWIW, the candidate is a Republican and fairly young.
| Weekly Activities:
3737 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 06 this week
333 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week – Congresswoman Mary Miller, R-IL
402 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 02 this week – A state senator from Ohio and a Congressional Candidate from Ohio
Meetings: 1 Grover Norquist center-right
COP stats since inception: August 2009
92 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
208 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week.
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 Tribune, 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.”
* 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 February 4th, 2022 by hiwayhowie
Painful Reality: A Washington state staffer had a question I needed to research to find the answer: what organizations support the federal drug decrim bill?
15 minutes later I could only find these groups: ACLU, DPA, Open Society Foundation and the NACDL (national assoc. of criminal defense lawyers). The NAACP, CBC (congressional black caucus), etc are silent on the topic. Discouraging it was.
| Weekly Activities:
3731 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 06 this week
Meetings: 1 Grover Norquist center-right
COP stats since inception: August 2009
400 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –
332 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
92 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
208 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week.
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 Tribune, 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.”
* 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 February 4th, 2022 by hiwayhowie
One big reason I go to the Grover Norquist – Center Right Wednesday meetings;
This from someone who has an excellent chance of being a Member of the US House
Good morning Cowboy.
Yes, it’s was a pleasure meeting and speaking with you. I am a true 10th
believer and follower. If it’s not enumerated in the Constitution… it’s
for the states and the people to decide.
You can count on my support of the 10th.
Commentary: FWIW, yes, we have plenty of votes to end the federal prohibition of marijuana in both the House and Senate. Sadly, the Dems will not bring up a clean, simple one page bill to do that. They are holding out for a marijuana bill with lots of liberal goodies attached, making it impossible for Republicans to support. Extremely sad.
Oregon Update for 2022: I am sending out 535 individual emails to all Congressional staffers on what we know about their new, decrim of drugs law. Copy at bottom. Yes, this is taking a ton of time.
| Weekly Activities:
3725 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 03 this week
400 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 02 this week – Missouri State Rep and a Repub. Candidate for US House
Meetings: 1 Grover Norquist center-right
COP stats since inception: August 2009
332 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
92 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
208 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week.
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 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 Tribune, 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.”
* 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
|
Oregon Drug Decrim Update for 2022
- Personal Responsibility is now the Cornerstone principle regarding drug use/abuse. Like alcohol, cigarettes and other health issues are a matter of personal responsibility. The War on Drugs is nearly over in Oregon.
- After 10 months – no major, negative events/developments
- 80% reduction in police action (tickets for simple possession)
- 80% reduction in police searches, thus improving police/community relations
- Treatment facilities are going on line slower than expected. 300 million was allocated in late 2021 to accomplish this by 2023.
- No reports of increased use or Drug DUI
- Half who receive a ticket are ignoring them, doing no follow-up
- More police time for real crime. Quote from Oregon sheriff:
“We have no hammer,”** said Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel, whose deputies had not issued a single class E violation as of Oct. 1, according to circuit court records. “What does that do for law enforcement to focus on those violations right now? We can look for car thefts, burglaries, assaults, and those sorts of things.”
First published reports out of Oregon since total drug decrim for personal amounts went into effect on Feb. 1, 2021
This is the full article: https://www.opb.org/article/2021/10/27/oregon-pioneering-drug-law-raises-more-questions-than-answers-early-months/
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2021/11/03/oregons-drug-decriminalization-may-spread-despite-unclear-results
