In 2016, former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner, wrote in a letter that he was "unalterably opposed to the legalization of marijuana or any other FDA schedule I drug."

He went on to say he was concerned that "legalization will result in increased abuse of all varieties of drugs, including alcohol."

This morning, hours before anyone in the U.S. had even showered, Boehner tweeted that he was joining the board of Acreage Holdings, a cannabis investment company with operations in 11 states.

Boehner is now, in a roundabout way, selling weed. So that's crazy.

It happening all over though. You see, there's a trick to getting red party stalwarts to flip face. Mention the veterans.

It's what Acreage Holdings Founder and CEO, Kevin Murphy, said about the exchange. His focus in an accompanying statement highlighted the help veterans would receive from de-scheduling cannabis and what an impact it will be having conservatives join the party. Smart.

“The addition of Speaker Boehner and Governor Weld to our board will lead to even greater access for patients by changing the conversation overnight,” Murphy said. “These men have shaped the political course of our country for decades and now they will help shape the course of this nascent but ascendant industry.”

Boehner joins a growing list of right-leaning assholes who were once fervently opposed to any form of legalization. In February, "America's Worst Sheriff" Joe Arpaio even went soft on weed, saying, "I wish there was something more we could do with the medical dispensaries to help our veterans and people that are sick. I still can't understand why you can't go to a drug store on a prescription and get this type of drug."

And in November, a Gallup poll showed, for the first time ever, a majority of right-wingers are cool with weed now — 51 percent and growing. 

Welcome to the party ladies and gentlemen. 

[cover photo DonkeyHotey via Flickr]