Pubdate: Wed, 11 Apr 2018
Source: Providence Journal, The (RI)
Copyright: 2018 The Providence Journal Company
Contact:  http://www.providencejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352
Author: Dan Sewell

FORMER U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER TO PROMOTE LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

CINCINNATI -- Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner says he has had a
change of heart on marijuana and will promote its nationwide
legalization.

Known as an avid cigarette smoker, the Ohio Republican has joined the
advisory board of Acreage Holdings, a multistate cannabis company. The
company also announced that former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld has
joined its advisory board.

Boehner says in a statement his position "has evolved" from opposition
to legalizing marijuana. He says he believes legalizing marijuana can
be helpful to the nation's veterans and as a way to help fight the
U.S. opioid drug crisis. He wants to see federally funded research
done and to allow Veterans Affairs to offer marijuana as a treatment
option.

Boehner also says the move would curtail federal-state conflict on
marijuana policies.
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