Posted September 4th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 30, 2013
Dear Boys and Girls,
You probably have heard/read that AG Holder has called the governors of Colorado and Washington informing them that the federal law enforcement is allowing them to go forward to open and operate stores to sell marijuana to adults. This concept includes those twenty (20) states which allow medical marijuana. In a nutshell States Rights has become the guiding principle for marijuana, as long as the states meet subjective, federal standards/controls (outlined below in a 4 page memo).
So, my work is done and Karen and I are moving to Texas.
NOT. In one day the ball moved from the 10 yard line to the 50. Lots of work left to do.
Our foes are in retreat. What do we do now? Pursue & Attack of course: It was appropriate how I learned of the Holder Memo. I was finishing up a presentation at a California office, when a staffer interrupted us with the news. I was stunned and my brain told me this must be an Onion report or National Enquirer hoax. Yours truly never expected the feds to completely and openly cave.
I went down the hall to the elevator where there is a large, wooden box which contains gas masks. I sat on it and read the 4 page memo on Twitter. I called Mark Stepnoski (retired center for the Dallas Cowboys who gave me my start as a lobbyist 10 years ago in Texas), briefed him and as I was saying thanks and good-bye, choked up. After hanging up, I cried for three minutes.
Of course I decided to take the rest of the day off, catch the early train home and celebrate. As I took 20 steps in the direction of the train, I realized the amount of work left to go. I am a military history buff and I recalled how after Gettysburg, General Meade failed to pursue General Lee and force his surrender…and the blood continued to flow like a river for two extra years…. I got my list of offices I needed to see, made 3 more presentations and caught the late train home as planned.
This week’s stats:
- 1355 Presentations to Congressional staffers..20 this week
- 32 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
-
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 61 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 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
- 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
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 15 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. 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:
Here is a summary of the Holder memo:
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Justice Department Announces Update to Marijuana Enforcement Policy
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an update to its federal marijuana enforcement policy in light of recent state ballot initiatives that legalize, under state law, the possession of small amounts of marijuana and provide for the regulation of marijuana production, processing, and sale.
In a new memorandum outlining the policy, the Department makes clear that marijuana remains an illegal drug under the Controlled Substances Act and that federal prosecutors will continue to aggressively enforce this statute. To this end, the Department identifies eight (8) enforcement areas that federal prosecutors should prioritize. These are the same enforcement priorities that have traditionally driven the Department’s efforts in this area.
Outside of these enforcement priorities, however, the federal government has traditionally relied on state and local authorizes to address marijuana activity through enforcement of their own narcotics laws. This guidance continues that policy.
For states such as Colorado and Washington that have enacted laws to authorize the production, distribution and possession of marijuana, the Department expects these states to establish strict regulatory schemes that protect the eight federal interests identified in the Department’s guidance. These schemes must be tough in practice, not just on paper, and include strong, state-based enforcement efforts, backed by adequate funding. Based on assurances that those states will impose an appropriately strict regulatory system, the Department has informed the governors of both states that it is deferring its right to challenge their legalization laws at this time. But if any of the stated harms do materialize—either despite a strict regulatory scheme or because of the lack of one—federal prosecutors will act aggressively to bring individual prosecutions focused on federal enforcement priorities and the Department may challenge the regulatory scheme themselves in these states.
A copy of the memorandum, sent to all United States Attorneys by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, is available below.
http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/3052013829132756857467.pdf
Marijuana Industry to Congress: Legalize Pot, Provide New Tax Revenue
As Congress wrestles with big budget cuts, marijuana businesses want to help out the federal government with a novel message: Tax us, please. Pot advocates say legalizing the drug and taxing it like alcohol would add billions to the federal treasury, McClatchy Newspapers report. Some analysts dismiss a pot tax bonanza as far-fetched. Still, the idea is stirring serious debate on Capitol Hill.
The Senate Finance Committee included marijuana taxes in an options paper on possible new revenue sources. In the House, one proposal would legalize pot, tax it, and regulate it nationally. The less ambitious Small Business Tax Equity Act would allow the Internal Revenue Service to give breaks on federal income taxes for marijuana businesses. Noting that pot remains a banned substance, Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron said, “If they don’t like the fact that they can’t take certain tax deductions because they’re in an illegal business, then they should go in some other business where they can take tax deductions.” McClatchy
Posted September 4th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 23, 2013
Mundane and hopefully important: 19 presentations in the House this week with Congress in recess. Seems like I have been doing this since Adam & Eve left the garden.
The March:
The 50th Anniversary of the Martin Luther King “I have a dream” speech was celebrated with a march and rally at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday. Although I arrived 45 minutes before the start, I could go no closer than ½ mile from the podium. No worries, I was there to politic. Five hours on my feet later (I am getting too old for this..seriously), 200 plus fotos taken, about 80 chats, 3 interviews by minor TV and bloggers, my duty to God and Country fulfilled, I went home. The foto below captures the essence of the day.
Campaigning with Misty not only attracts more attention, the saddle is a place for me to sit..Sadly the Park Police do not civilian horses on the Mall L
This week’s stats:
- 1335 Presentations to Congressional staffers..19 this week
- 61 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..03 this week
-
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
- 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
- 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 15 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. 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:
Marijuana Industry to Congress: Legalize Pot, Provide New Tax Revenue
As Congress wrestles with big budget cuts, marijuana businesses want to help out the federal government with a novel message: Tax us, please. Pot advocates say legalizing the drug and taxing it like alcohol would add billions to the federal treasury, McClatchy Newspapers report. Some analysts dismiss a pot tax bonanza as far-fetched. Still, the idea is stirring serious debate on Capitol Hill.
The Senate Finance Committee included marijuana taxes in an options paper on possible new revenue sources. In the House, one proposal would legalize pot, tax it, and regulate it nationally. The less ambitious Small Business Tax Equity Act would allow the Internal Revenue Service to give breaks on federal income taxes for marijuana businesses. Noting that pot remains a banned substance, Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron said, “If they don’t like the fact that they can’t take certain tax deductions because they’re in an illegal business, then they should go in some other business where they can take tax deductions.” McClatchy
Posted August 25th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 16, 2013
Reformgasm: Dropping into a senior, Democratic office its Chief of Staff whom I had met before was in the reception area. We chatted. I asked why his boss had not signed onto the repeal bill (HR 1523). He called in an aide and asked, “Why aren’t we signed onto this bill? Find out and get us on the bill!”
Again, showing up and asking a question is half the battle.
New era: On Monday Nico Orduz (LEAP’s legislative affairs coordinator) spent the day with me, as we made Senate office presentations. He spoke for about three minutes at each meeting to introduce LEAP. He is an impressive young man born in Colombia whose mom was a federal prosecutor against the cartels.
Going forward, LEAP and COP are collaborating on Hill and DC work. I am thrilled. Again this week, a House office requested a meeting with Neill Franklin and the Congresswoman. I passed on this request to Nico for follow-up. Another office wanted speakers at their House briefing in September. I put forth the names of Neill and Judge Gray NOTE: When an aide asks for suggestions on witnesses, I start with Neill and Judge Gray. I don’t even mention myself. They are superior presenters and have the requisite CV(resume) to impress the Congress. I don’t.
With the Holder initiative on mandatory minimums, the ‘Stop and Frisk’ decision in New York City, the legalization of marijuana in several states, etc..drug reform is bubbling up as never before in DC since I arrived in 2005. Having LEAP involved in federal affairs again is exciting and beneficial. COP might yet be an “overnight” success.
Letter to Congressman: Please send your House Member an email in support of HR 1523. This is THE bill which reform is pushing on the Hill. Feel free to personalize the letter but don’t go past one page. When they reply, pls forward their response.
Sample:
Dear Congressman xxxxx,
I write you today to vote for common sense and greater freedom by allowing the States to choose their own path regarding marijuana. Mr. Rohrabacher’s HR 1523 is a clean, one-sentence bill which simply returns to the States the power they lost in 1937.
We are a diverse country of 310 million citizens. One size does not fit all on some issues. We allow the States to find their own way on important topics like alcohol, tobacco, firearms and gambling. There is no rational reason to exclude marijuana from this group.
Currently the federal government spends about four (4) billion to support marijuana prohibition of which over a billion is borrowed from China. This is lunacy, as marijuana since the ‘70s has been easier for our teens to buy than alcohol. This policy is truly a “bridge to nowhere.”
Thank you for supporting HR 1523.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your city
Text of HR 1523: `Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of this subchapter related to marihuana shall not apply to any person acting in compliance with State laws relating to the production, possession, distribution, dispensation, administration, or delivery of marihuana.’.
This week’s stats:
- 1316 Presentations to Congressional staffers..10 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 58 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 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
- 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
- 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
- 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 15 major conferences attended.. this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. 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:
Posted August 13th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 9, 2013
Reformgasm: On Friday after a good day with 8 presentations I caught up on my notes in the Longworth café and prepared to leave to catch the train. Upon standing, the nearby staffer said, ‘That is an interesting shirt. Why?’ (it was my Friday ‘fun’ day = wear my COP shirt)
She and another staffer and I were having an excellent chat, when I realized I needed to catch the train. As always, I asked, ‘So who do you work for?’ “Pelosi” she replied. Hell with the train and we kept going another 5+ minutes. I just made it to the station on time.
Describing my encounter with the man from Texas who recruited me into drug reform (Bob Ramsey of Dallas), he responded. “Sounds like you had a reformogasm, when you learned who she worked for.” Yup & LOL for a couple of minutes…I realized that word perfectly fits the situation….you will see it again.
Again, 90% of being successful is just showing up.
Reflection: I attended the funeral of a buddy and fellow lobbyist in Delaware on Thursday. Bob gave me some excellent pointers, when I began my career with LEAP in the Congress in 2006. He was only 7 years older than me. Tick Tock.
Reflections II: COP began its fifth year on August 1. Thank you for you moral and financial support to keep a dedicated, full-time voice in Congress. The COP anti-prohibition, pro repeal of federal prohibition message is now meeting with minimal resistance and much greater embracement. COP has irons in many an office where the Member is close to becoming open in support to end the horrific Drug War and Drug Prohibition policies. Stay tuned.
This week’s stats:
- 1306 Presentations to Congressional staffers..09 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
- 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
- 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) 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..this week
- 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 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:
Posted August 13th, 2013 by hiwayhowie
Being on vacation this week – I am sending examples of my follow-up letters after I visit an office. The first is to an R office (note the first two paragraphs are special to just this person). The bottom has my standard script to a D office.
Morning Evelyn,
Thank you for your time earlier this month. I thoroughly enjoyed the chat, even as we disagree on the nanny-state policy of prohibition.
I am concerned that you influence national policy base on a personal hunch that use may go up/explode. I implore you to talk to medical experts in this area.
Since we first met two years ago, the federal govt. has spent some 30 billion dollars, 13 of which we borrowed from China. And absolutely nothing was accomplished. Per the DEA, drugs are still readily available to America’s youth.
Current federal drug policy violates many Republican principles i.e. limited federal govt, individual freedom, squandered money, (borrowing billions from China to pay for it), etc. As a registered Republican, it is painful to see our party lose its way. Tell me how & where current policy is helping America and I will leave for Texas tomorrow. Please have the Senator write an oped pointing out all the benefits and advantages of marijuana prohibition & send it to me.
If I can assist in a volunteer capacity, I speak fluent German, French and Spanish.
I remain at your service,
Howard
Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Washington, DC
817-975-1110 Cell
howard@CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.
Morning Stephanie,
Thank you for your time earlier this month. I enjoyed the chat.
I hope you will be able to convince the Senator that drug prohibition has been a disaster for the young people of our country, causing misery and death. We need to repeal federal prohibition, starting with marijuana. Pls. let me know if the Senator can articulate one advantage of prohibition. Let’s take away the option of being a teen drug dealer.
If I can assist in a volunteer capacity, I speak fluent German, French and Spanish.
I remain at your service,
Howard
