While it's easy to jump to the cynical assumption that Boehner is looking for a cash grab, hopefully his personal anecdotes underscore a sincere resolve to end cannabis prohibition.

As a national leader his opinions bear influence and the evolution of his perspective on cannabis is representative of many people's transition to a pro-marijuana stance over the past several decades. Specifically, the personal experiences of those with family and friends who have used cannabis to palliate a variety of symptoms, often with minimal side effects, has led people to begin to question the veracity of anti-marijuana propaganda.

These personal experiences are more powerful than stories and hearsay, and thus the propagation of the pro-marijuana movement is dependent on them. Medicinal cannabis use has only gained traction over the past decade in the US. Perhaps people’s exposure to personal experiences with the drug (and less reliance on hearsay) is leading to significant changes in public perception.

Education is vital and when our leaders begin to question their fundamental assumptions over a subject people begin to do the same; it kickstarts an awakening.

Hopefully, Boehner can whisper into our elected leaders’ ears and offset the impact of the lobbying done on behalf of private prisons, tobacco companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers and wine and spirits companies.