It isn’t enough for former Congressman Carlos Curbelo to be an NBC News political analyst and contributor. Now he wants to make it easier for us to smoke weed.
Curbelo is now the new strategic adviser to the Cannabis Trade Federation, a group comprised of cannabis b
usiness interests who have come together to advocate for looser pot laws. He will be raising funds, communicating the organization’s messages and helping with strategic planning (read: lobbying).
It his second job since he narrowly lost his re-election to Congresswoman Debbie Murcarsel-Powell in November, but he — or, rather, “his wife” — still owns Capitol Gains, a lobbying firm with a P.O. Box on Sunset Drive.
“During my time in Congress, I worked closely with the Cannabis Trade Federation,” Curbelo said in a statement issued by the group. “Today, I am joining CTF’s team because I know that they are the most effective cannabis industry lobby and that they have the resources, talent, and professional acumen needed to pass game-changing reform at the federal level.
Read related: Doctors and nurses say vote yes on medical marijuana
“In my home state of Florida, 71 percent voted in favor of legalizing medical 
cannabis, and voters in 33 states and D.C. have also decided to legalize cannabis in some capacity. This is a states’ rights issue. That’s why I was an original co-sponsor of the STATES Act and why I continue to support the goals of this legislation today,” Curbelo said, referring to legislation that would end the federal enforcement of marijuana regulations.
He also backed last year’s Medical Cannabis Research Act that would allow medical groups and universities to bypass marijuana laws to do research on its effects, and a data collection law. He will likely support both efforts through the organization’s lobbying.
“While CTF’s team has already established itself as the go-to cannabis industry organization in D.C., it is only half a year old,” Curbelo said. “I look forward to working with the other members of our talented Executive Team to ensure that the will of the people is heard and to help this organization 
continue to grow into the powerful association the cannabis industry needs.”
Read related: Poll indicates support is high for Florida medical marijuana
The Federation’s CEO, Neal Levine, obviously noticed Curbelo’s stance in Congress.
“As a member of our Executive Team, he will continue to be the voice of states’ cannabis rights and will be an essential part of our organization’s strategic growth,” Levine said in a statement. “It is an honor to have someone with Carlos’s impressive background and skill set on board.”
Curbelo becomes the second local Republican lawmaker to join the grass movement after leaving office. In 2014, former Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla was named vice chairman of Florida For Care, a blue ribbon commission of doctors, patient advocates, law enforcement officers, educators and policy makers tasked with writing the legislative rules and regulations under which legalized medical marijuana would operate in the Sunshine State in the case that Amendment 2 passed.
Maybe running for office so much has gotten in the Dean’s way.
From Congress to cannabis: Carlos Curbelo will push pot in new job added by Ladra on
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