Cigar Caucus of Ohio

Recently, I went to my state's capital of Columbus to meet with some lobbyists fronting a movement for better cigar rights in Ohio, as well as going to the official cocktail mixer for the beginning of the Cigar Caucus.  I did not go as a representative from Tosa Cigars so much as I went as a CRA Ambassador trying to see what all I can do to help, and to be honest it seems that things are well on their way to running smoothly over there.

The reason this is so important is because it is a groundwork and a base for something that may not be completely necessary now, given the political climate in Columbus, but if we wait until it is needed, it may be too late.  Right now, pretty much the entire make-up of Columbus politics is fairly conservative, pretty much across the board.  When it comes to issues that these legislature and executives pass and sign-off on, the only real concern is taxes, which conservatives are extremely hesitant to ever raise.  So for now, the issue of the OTP tax going up is not of major concern right now, but who knows what the climate will be like in 4 years?

That is why it is important to get involved now.  If we have a grassroots effort and a base in the legislature of every state when the climate is friendly, it gives us an opportunity to get organized and test the waters with different ideas first, where a misstep would be less catastrophic.  If we wait for a more liberal interpretation of research and laws from people who are less friendly to the smokers' rights movement, then we run the risk of making some inevitable early mistakes that could prove to be detrimental.  That is why every state and every cigar smoker in those states needs to organize now, especially if the climate is friendly, because this is the time to make friends in high places to challenge any bill or state constitutional amendment up on ballot.

I know most people will read this and talk about how right I am and how much they agree, but won't actually do anything.  I will give up all my dignity and actually beg this not be the normal course of action for everyone.  We can only say so much and support others so much with words, it's what we actually do to help people and causes that make some sort of difference.  We are in an industry that is likened to the deepest circles of Hell, and we have very few friends that are willing to actually stand up for us.  We need all the help we can get.

Mike