DENVER, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Mile High is treating Peyton Manning well so far.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated's Peter King, without directly saying it, the Broncos quarterback strongly implied Colorado's legalization of recreational marijuana use has boosted sales at the Papa John's franchises he owns.
The conversation began about politics. Although not politically outspoken, it was no secret in 2012 when Manning supported Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, and the Super Bowl winner famously invested in 21 Papa John's franchises. Papa John's is owned and publicly represented by outspoken conservative John Schnatter.
"I have voted ever since I've been eligible to vote," Manning told Sports Illustrated.
"It's not a simple process when you go in there. There's always a little more that goes along with it ...You try to know who you're voting for. I was good friends with the governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, who's now the president of Purdue. Probably could have been president of the United States. You try to get to know them."
But Denver is proving a much different place than the plains of Indiana and for a man who sells generic chain-pizza on the side, those differences are palpable.
"I've gotten to know some of the folks here in Colorado. There's some different laws out here in Colorado. Pizza business is pretty good out here, believe it or not, due to some recent law changes. So when you come to a different place, you've kind of got to learn everything that comes with it."
Manning purchased his Papa John's franchises just two weeks before Coloradans passed Amendment 64, legalizing recreational marijuana use.
