Health Highlights: April 12, 2018

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Former U.S. House Speaker Boehner Now Backs Marijuana Legalization, Joins Cannabis Company Board

Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner used to oppose marijuana legalization but has changed his stance and is now involved with a marijuana company.

The 68-year-old Ohio Republican has joined the advisory board of cannabis company Acreage Holdings, the Associated Press reported.

“I decided to get involved because of the struggles of our country’s veterans and the opioid epidemic, after learning how descheduling the drug can potentially help with both crises,” Boehner said in a statement released Wednesday.

He’s now in favor of federally-funded marijuana research and allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer the drug as a treatment for conditions such as chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, the AP reported.

Former Massachusetts Republican Gov. William Weld has also joined the advisory board of Acreage Holdings, which has cannabis operations in 11 states. In the 2016 presidential election, Weld ran on the Libertarian Party ticket that was headed by legal-marijuana advocate Gary Johnson.

Boehner and Weld will serve on its board of directors when that is formed, the company said.

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