News
John Boehner Is Now a Marijuana Spokesperson

John Boehner has just become a lobbyist for big pot. The former Republican Speaker of the House whose career almost went up in smoke in 1995 when he handed out checks from tobacco companies to U.S. Congressmen on the House floor, “has joined the advisory board of Acreage Holdings, a company that cultivates, processes and dispenses cannabis in 11 U.S. states,” Bloomberg reports.
“Over the last 10 or 15 years, the American people’s attitudes have changed dramatically,” Boehner, who was once “unalterably opposed” to the legalization of marijuana, said. “I find myself in that same position.”
A strong majority – 64% – of Americans agree with Boehner.
Boehner will become a spokesperson and will work to legalize medical marijuana.
I’m joining the board of #AcreageHoldings because my thinking on cannabis has evolved. I’m convinced de-scheduling the drug is needed so we can do research, help our veterans, and reverse the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities. @AcreageCannabis https://t.co/f5i9KcQD0W
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) April 11, 2018
In 2016 Boehner joined the third-largest lobbying firm as an advisor. The following year he joined the board of Reynolds American, the second-largest tobacco company in the U.S.
When he was Speaker, Boehner reportedly smoked two packs of cigarettes a day.
Many on social media expressed surprise:
Boehner going to lobby for legalized weed is so perfect.
Perfect!
Could not have scripted it better.— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) April 11, 2018
As recently as 2014 Boehner was against ANY forms of marijuana decriminalization. It's an amazing fact he'll be so effective as a pro-cannabis lobbyist now that his 24 years a member of the House of Representatives is over.
— Rachel Joy Larris (@RachelLarris) April 11, 2018
Paul Ryan is retiring and John Boehner is selling pot. Big day for unexpected, but not wholly surprising, news from GOP House Speakers https://t.co/6UfEaCWaOL
— Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) April 11, 2018
Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license
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