John Boehner, Former Cannabis Opponent, Joins Cannabis Industry

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]F[/dropcap]ormer speaker of the House John A. Boehner has drastically changed his views on cannabis reform, announcing that he has joined the board of advisers of New York City-based Acreage Holdings, a cannabis corporation.

“I’m joining the board of Acreage Holdings because my thinking on cannabis has evolved,” Boehner tweeted on April 11. “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.”

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

As recently as 2011, Boehner has stated that he is “unalterably opposed” to the legalization of cannabis. Boehner’s spokesperson David Schnittger said that he changed his mind after reviewing the positive reports on cannabis reform that are constantly unfolding.

Acreage Holdings’ impressive roster on its board of advisers also includes former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, who ran as a vice presidential candidate on the libertarian ticket alongside Gary Johnson in 2016. Weld’s participation in a cannabis company is less shocking, as he’s spoken out in favor of cannabis in the past.

Boehner admits in a joint statement with Weld that the two come from different backgrounds with different views of cannabis. “While we come at this issue from different perspectives and track records,” Boehner and Weld stated, “we both believe the time has come for serious consideration of a shift in federal marijuana policy. Over the past 20 years a growing number of states have experimented with their right to offer cannabis programs under the protection of the 10th amendment. During that period, those rights have lived somewhat in a state of conflict with federal policy. Also, during this period, the public perception of cannabis has dramatically shifted, with 94% of Americans currently in favor of some type of access, a shift driven by increased awareness of marijuana’s many medical applications.”

It’s unlikely that any cannabis company has produced a board of advisers as impressive or as unusual as this one. Once other qualified directors have been appointed, Boehner and Weld will join the company’s board of directors as well.

Boehner and Weld were correct to point out that state cannabis laws currently all depend upon the Tenth Amendment, which leaves the industry in the gray area, and that cannabis needs to be descheduled on the federal level.