How and why I became involved in Drug War Reform

And what I have done

D R A F T

 

1.     Community leadership training nomination by Boy Scouts

·             Speech Training Exercise

·             Assigned to give controversial persuasive speech

·             Class assignment oppose speech

·             My group picked drug war

·             I gave one of three speeches to class

·             "What are we willing to pay for the War on Drugs"

·             Audience Reaction

·             Class failed to oppose and demonstrated very high level of support

·             Salisbury police officer in audience

 

2.     Son arrested 1 month later

·             Details of arrest

·             Bong "hitters" removed by one of young men, prior to police entry.

·             Possible targeting of “Rob Ryan”

·             Robby not present during initial police officer entry

·             Robby singled out for arrest.

·             Police officer's evidence fabrication

·             Bongs have "hitters" at later trial.

 

3.     Son's Trial

·             Public defender actions due to son's "not guilty" plea

·             Son represented self

·             Won trial

·             State's Attorney post trial action

·             Judge's Interaction

·             Letter of complaint to state senator

·             Police Chief action and involvement

·             Second Charge & Trial

·             Local Media Campaign

·             Son represented self again

·             Asking for jury trial

·             State drops case

 

4.     Investigation into Drug War

·             Federal documents review

·             State University Librarians Assistance

·             Lindesmith Center (NYC)

·             Ethan Nadlemann 1st printing gift

·             Dr. John Morgan & Lynne Zimmer Book

·             Marijuana Myths : Marijuana Facts

 

 

And what I have done since

 

5.     Political Involvement

·             Ran for Mayor - Salisbury MD

·             Won critical block of votes

·             Webcast 1st political debate in Maryland

·             Lost election but knocked out drug warrior

·             Republican Central Committee party position election

·             Won

·             Maryland Republican State Party Medical Marijuana Resolution

·             Failed, Failed, Passed

·             Congressman Wayne Gilchrest Campaign

·             John McCain, Presidential Committee County Chairman

·             Ohio Congressional District 2 postcard mailings

·             Amnesty International Mid West & National Resolution [Passed]

·             Drug War and Human Rights Abuse

 

6.     Speaking Engagements/Testimonies

·             District Attorney Conference - Drug War Politics

·             Maryland Republican Party - Lincoln Day Dinner(s)

·             Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee, Worchester MD

·             Committee took no position after hearing; local state representative requested committee to oppose Medical Marijuana Bill

·             Ohio State Senate Judiciary – Testimony on D-UID law

·             Student For Sensible Drug Policy Conference - Iowa State University

·             Ohio State Representative Hearing(s) Judiciary HB8/SB8 – Testimony on D-UID law

·             Cincinnati City Council Law Committee Hearing – Pepper’s Marijuana Re-Criminalization 2005

·             Drug Policy Alliance - Multiple Groups Working Together Panel

·             University of Cincinnati -Young Republicans – Medical Marijuana politics

·             Cincinnati City Council Hearing(s) – Marijuana Re-Criminalization 2006, 2007

·             Hamilton County Commissioners Jail Expansion hearings

·             University of Cincinnati - Addiction Class Guest Lecture: Is Addiction a Crime?

·             Media: WMDT, WBOC, NPR, C-Span, WLW, WAIF, WNKU, WCIN Baltimore Sun, Salisbury Daily Times, Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Post, City Beat, PATV (MD & OH)

 

7.     Leadership, Coordination, and Assistance in

·             Bryan D. Pinkett Defense Fund

·             The Darrell Putman Compassionate Use Act (MD)

·             Bush & Kerry Cincinnati Rally(s)  (ASA/OPN)

·             Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Judge Shockett – Ohio trip

·             Cincinnati Re-criminalization Hearings – Media materials, Academic information & Testimony coordination

·             Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Detective Howard Wooldridge – Ohio trips

·             Ohio Health Day Conference(s) - Ohio Patients Network

·             Drug Reform Public Outreach: Local events and church festivals

 

 

8.     Conferences Attendance

·             Drug Policy Foundation, Bethesda MD

·             Discussion with Constable Gil Puder on medical marijuana

·             Republican State Convention(s) - MD

·             Republican National Convention, Philadelphia

·             National War on Drugs Symposium, Georgetown University, Washington DC

·             Discussion with Barry McCaffrey on Generals & Sergeants

·             Saving Our Children from Drug Treatment Abuse, Bethesda MD

·             Drug Policy Alliance, New Mexico, New Jersey, Los Angeles

·             National Sheriff's Association, Louisville, KY

·             Amnesty International, Mid West Regional, Cincinnati

·             Neighborhood Summit: Building Neighborhoods, Cincinnati

·             Amnesty International USA, Annual General Meeting(s), Portland, Milwaukee

·             Community Problem Oriented Policing, Cincinnati