Probably some of them are genuine believers in medical marijuana, and just don't realize how slimy penny companies can be. I have the feeling they often don't even bother to try to check out the company.
It isn't an entirely new phenomenon. Years ago, Alexander Haig was a regular on a local LA TV show. He enthusiastically pumped some worthless penny; I forget which one. He may have pumped more; needless to say, I wasn't a regular listener. And we have Gavin Newsome, the California Lieutenant Governor, endorsing SKTO back in 2013.
There are other examples, many of which ended up embarrassing the politician in question.