Posted May 1st, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of April 27, 2018
Elevator Man: ‘Joe’ made his I-am-running-for-Congress presentation at Grover’s this week. He was mightily impressive and also in a hurry. Before leaving the area, he did a TV interview. I hung out at the elevator and then held it, while he and his entourage joined him. I had my 45 seconds and then another 2 minutes as his handlers were trying to get him into a waiting SUV. He kept asking me questions. What could I do but answer them??!!
Land of Oz: Also at Grover’s was a producer for the Dr. Oz TV program. She focuses on mental health issues and was happy to hear about the Swiss HAT approach.
I delivered the 2018 updates to the Senate this week, finishing that task. I had a particularly fruitful chat with the CJ aide to a southern Senator…after 10 years of ‘hell no’, his aide stated the office is now all in for the 10th Amendment on marijuana.
Next week is family business in Michigan & then off to Old Europe for four weeks. The only COP business is a lunch with my Swiss HAT doctor/friend and a visit to the Bern visa office, to see if and American can move to Switzerland and receive their HAT treatment.
This week’s stats:
2788 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 17 this week
245 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (candidate running for Congress)
01 Meetings – meetings, hearings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
269 personal chats with a Member of Congress… this week
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 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
75 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 0 this week
28 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 00 this week
83 Radio Interviews. 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted April 22nd, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of April 20, 2018
We love our vets: Nothing, but nothing exemplifies the changes (the Senator’s position is evolving {rapidly}) regarding marijuana than what I experienced for two hours this week. During a hearing by the Veterans Committee in the House, one could not distinguish between Rs and Ds…it was one big love fest of let’s push and push to put God’s medicine into the hands of our veterans in specific and medical marijuana for all citizens in general. Wow!!
Make the Pitch: After Grover’s meeting I was able to have an extended chat with my White House contact regarding the President’s now very public support for the 10th A and marijuana. I asked that the WH pressure Speaker Ryan to allow a vote on our bills. I can’t tell you what the response was. Let’s just say, I am still going to work on Monday. On a professional note – it is gratifying to have a chance to ask the WH for something directly..this development only took me 9 years in the trenches.
This week’s stats:
2773 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 11 this week
269 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 05 this week (David Young R-IA, Gwen Moore D-WI, Serrano D-NY, Lowey D-NY, Amash R-MI
244 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 02 this week (candidate running for Congress)
Meetings – 2 meetings, 2 hearings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 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
75 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 0 this week
28 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 00 this week
83 Radio Interviews. 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted April 20th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of April 13, 2018
Passing the Torch: For as long as I have been in DC (2005), Republican Rohrabacher has led those Rs who want to apply the 10th A to marijuana policy. That changed on Friday morning as CMan David Joyce (from the NE corner of Ohio) became the point man. He is a former public defender and prosecutor, solid and will work to convince other Rs to abandon the federal prohibition of marijuana. BTW, 27 of the leaders of MJ reform met to pass the torch. We now have some seriously heavy hitters on our side. (industry folks with real money)…the COP, MPP, NORML, DPA { folks who are here for the social justice aspects } are wonderful and we will one day pass the torch to the industry and fade into history
Nobody put champagne in the fridge: As I was attending 3 meetings on Friday, R Senator Gardner of CO announced that Trump would support a 10th A approach to marijuana. It was nice to hear it but nobody started looking for a new job. Because: De dicho al hecho – hay mucho trecho {From the saying to the having it done – there is a really big gap}…especially in Washington 2018.
Must be present to win: COP members may be tired of reading this stuff (Just show up = 90% of success). En route to the next presentation, who is wondering the hallways, looking for his new office? = Conor Lamb (D-PA) who won by 750 votes. We had a nice chat and ended with him giving his general support to the 10th A for marijuana issues.
This week’s stats:
2762 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 12 this week
264 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 10 this week
(Conor Lamb (D-PA), Brady (R-TX), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Jackie Speers (D-CA), Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Sires (D-NJ), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Gaetz (R-FL), Norman (R-SC)
242 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week (candidate running for Congress)
Meetings – 4 meetings
COP stats since inception: August 2009
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 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
75 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 0 this week
28 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 00 this week
83 Radio Interviews. 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted April 18th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of April 6, 2018
Fancy meeting you here: On my way to the next presentation who pops out of the elevator? My nemesis – Kevin Sabet of SAM. We chatted for 3-4 catching up, he introduced me to his colleague and the world would never have known we are serious adversaries….and we also professionals. We met years ago, broke bread in Vienna and he is not a two-headed monster…..He simply is paid a lot of money to spin how horrible Colorado is and I volunteer to distribute the facts.
Respect: After Grover’s meeting I was waiting on the platform for the next metro train. A young, black man asked me why? I responded with the usual response; ‘18 teens/young people are shot every day, due to selling drugs off sidewalks. That is immoral and wrong.’ He looked at me thoughtfully for a few seconds, reached out for my hand, we shook and then he brought me in for a shoulder bump. And he walked away. Memorable moment in my DC career.
This week’s stats:
2775 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 25 this week
84 Radio Interviews. 01 this week — Saturday for two hours on local Frederick, MD station WFMD
Meetings – 2
COP stats since inception: August 2009
254 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
241 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week (candidates running for Congress)
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 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
75 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 0 this week
28 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 00 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted April 6th, 2018 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill:
Stories from the week of March 30, 2018
Bottle of Water: Solid week, opening 126 doors in Longworth to deliver Updates for 2018 (below). I kept my mouth well-hydrated and I finished the week w/o issues. Felt great to be back in the saddle.
Time for a Question: As with all these office visits, I spoke to a legislative assistant for 2-3 minutes. An hour later an aide to Minority Whip Hoyer saw me in the café and stopped by. He has a degree in criminal justice and had more questions. We ended up having a 10-minute chat. That stuff makes my day.
Estoy rojo (made me blush): Stopping by the office for Puerto Rico, I had an excellent chat with their Legislative Director and his assistant for judiciary joined us. “Jose” made me blush, as he described me to his colleague. He met me in my first year (2006), when he was just a pup. After business, the two peppered me with questions about the Misty Ride for nearly a half hour = great way to end my day.
This week’s stats:
2750 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 41 this week
Meetings – 2
COP stats since inception: August 2009
254 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
241 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week (candidates running for Congress)
152 interviews and reports in minor media = 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
75 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. This week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss. French TV and radio) 0 this week
28 major conferences attended – (United Nations drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 00 this week
83 Radio Interviews. 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Drug War – Updates for 2018
In 2017, the American Legion endorsed HR 2020 which would re-schedule marijuana to 3 – the same as Marinol (a synthetic pill of pure THC). R-FL Gaetz is author.
The Congress has denied the DEA monies in FY 15, 16, 17 and 18 to take action against state-legal, medical marijuana operations. Patients in 30 (46 when CBD oil is considered) states are protected.
The legal marijuana industry across 30 states employs some 140,000 full-time people (twice as many as coal).
Canada is on track to legalize, regulate, tax marijuana on July 1, 2018.
The Taliban in Afghanistan continues to fund their battles with money made from the flow heroin & hashish. http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/04/03/follow-the-money-the-talibans-growing-criminal-empire.html. Hezbollah making a billion a year from South American drug trade. F/ a House hearing in Mar. 18
In Nov. 2018, MO & UT will vote on a robust medical MJ program; Oks vote is this June. MI will legalize via the ballot in Nov. The US Senate race will be affected by increased turnout in MO by those wanting to vote (primarily Democrats) for the MJ part of the ballot.
MJ is legal in nine (9) states & DC; 30 states have robust, state-legal medical MJ programs; 46 states have legal CBD oil for children with grand mal seizures (Dravet’s Syndrome). VT legalized adult use in January and NJ will also legalize adult use in the spring of 18.
Ohio in 2016 and West Virginia in 2017 became the first Republican-controlled states to pass a full, medical marijuana law. His people are now benefiting from His medicine.
In 2016 voters (57%) in OK voted to de-felonize simple possession of hard drugs. Max penalty now 1 year in jail. CA & OR have the same law.
A 2017 report from the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education shows that youth marijuana use is NOT rising in the age of legalization.
Since legalization in Colorado, the vehicle search rate of African American drivers 21 and over dropped by nearly half, while the search rate of Hispanic drivers fell by 58 percent. White drivers faced almost two-thirds fewer searches after recreational marijuana was legalized. http://www.businessinsider.com/police-are-searching-far-fewer-cars-in-states-that-have-legalized-marijuana-2017-6
In 2017, National Academies of Sciences released a marijuana and health report found “insufficient evidence” to support an association between cannabis use and occupational accidents or injuries.
Understand & accept the police are helpless to slow down the Tsunami of drugs coming f/ Mexico. The police have never made a real dent in supply. Heroin is readily available in all small towns in the USA.
