On Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, Sports Cannabis Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jay Morzaria and Athlete Ambassador Ryan Purvis hosted a panel discussion at Toronto’s Lift Convention on the current landscape of health, wellness, canna-athletics and athletes changing the game globally.
Launched in 2016, the Lift Convention is Canada’s premier Cannabis convention. It is the original large-scale cannabis trade show in Canada which showcases leading-edge content, exclusive exhibitors, retailers, producers, growers, investors and industry professionals.
With an opportunity to shift the narrative, Jay and Ryan touched on a host of topics ranging from the impacts of medicinal cannabis consumption, cannabis in U Sports, cannabis in professional sports, sports cannabis news, updates and policy change as well as the significant hurdles athletes and patients are facing in Canada.
Jay Morzaria
“It’s great to be here, we want to thank you for joining the conversation on Sports, Cannabis and the current state of canna-athletics. We also want to give the Lift Convention, Barry R Smith and Lisa Petty a huge thank you for the opportunity to host the discussion.
We’re excited to push forward a conversation touching on athletics, personal journeys and the future of Sports Cannabis. The cannabis industry has evolved and changed substantially in the last five years and we have had an opportunity to witness a shift in mindset, change in professional league policy and athletes leading the charge in the health and wellness space.”
Changing the conversation is a collective effort and over the past decade, athletes from all backgrounds have stepped up to share their movements and the pivotal role cannabis has played in their lives. Founder of Sports Cannabis Jay Morzaria and athlete ambassador Ryan Purvis spoke on their Cannabis ah-ha moments as well as their pivot into the industry.
Jay Morzaria
“At Sports Cannabis we’ve had the great pleasure of connecting with retired and active professional athletes to better understand their wellness routines, cannabis in the locker room and the vital role it’s played in their lives. Regardless, if it’s an NCAA Champion like Darryl Reynolds, who is a Sports Cannabis Athlete Ambassador and host of The Halftime Report, a retired NBA Athlete like Al Harrington who has cultivated a unique product line in Viola or retired NFL Legends, Calvin Johnson Jr and Rob Sims that have developed Primitiv Performance, every individual has a unique story as to why they ultimately pivoted into the cannabis industry.
My journey started at 15 when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, an incurable inflammatory disease that often resides in the small or large bowels. I was an avid cyclist and amidst schooling when the disease took hold of my life and created significant health instability. Coming from an Indian background, the approach to life, health and wellness was extremely conservative, largely due to the information that was accessible at the time. For 10 years I endured blanket solutions in hopes that I would regain a normal life, and unfortunately, they were ineffective. The turning point or cannabis ah-ha moment was when my family and I partnered with a medical professional residing in California who advised that Cannabis could provide significant relief, showing signs of positive effects for individuals dealing with inflammation.
Despite never consuming cannabis, I was willing to take a risk on anything that could provide improvement and normalcy. I can still remember leveraging cannabis as a healing modality for the first time in my life, it was as if I was standing in a dark room for ten years and someone turned on a light switch and I could finally see clearly. Beyond giving me a chance to get back to my academic and professional life, I was also able to get back into something I loved, which was cycling. Without realizing it, Sports Cannabis was created.
The Sports Cannabis platform was born out of the notion that through dialogue, storytelling and chatting with professional athletes that had reached the highest peaks in their careers, we would have an opportunity to learn about how cannabis has positively impacted their lives in contrast to the traditional pharmaceuticals that had been prescribed. With an opportunity to expose the truth, we also had a chance to apply global pressure for change to an outdated health and wellness industry.”
Ryan Purvis
“My name Is Ryan Purvis, born and raised in Orillia ON. I’m a proud Sports Cannabis Ambassador and Cannabis Industry Professional. I’m very grateful to connect with Jay and his team over the years to join forces on this amazing movement in sport. It’s an incredible time to be in the grassroots of cannabis, and it excites me every day to see the potential of this plant and what we can all build together. My journey with the sport started at a young age, but I can’t say the same about my cannabis story.
In 2008 I was drafted by the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League. At that time, when I was 15, I had to make a big decision by deciding between my two favourite sports, in which I left soccer behind to pursue hockey professionally because of its competitive edge. Although I never played pro, I was fortunate to play Junior A in both the Ontario and Maritime league before attending Brock University to play for the Badgers. It was here when I continued my health and wellness journey through my Kinesiology degree.
My Ah-Ha moment was simply seeing more and more positive outcomes. I soon found that it became more of a ritual to ease my mind, unwind and think outside the box. I think studying the Endocannabinoid System really pushed things forward for me though, which I had never learnt about throughout my Kinesiology degree. I tend to gravitate to science and physiology so looking back it all makes sense. My passion for cannabis took over and I became more and more educated on the plant and products out there.”
Pushing the cannabis in U Sport conversation forward Ryan discussed how cannabis is viewed at the collegiate level, what’s stopping athletes from considering cannabis as a viable option for health and wellness, as well as what needs to happen next.
Ryan Purvis
“There is very little dialogue around cannabis overall within USPORT. At the time I was in sports, cannabis was prohibited. No one spoke about cannabis, only those closest smokers. Athletes, including myself, ran the risk of getting suspended for cannabis use. The CCES – Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is the governing body that is responsible for administering the Canadian Anti-Doping Program to both USPORT and Collegiate athletics. We had randomized drug testing each year throughout the season. Luckily, I never got tested but a handful of us would be nervous when we saw the CCES around the rink. Thankfully there has been change since. In 2020 the CCES announced that they would no longer test for cannabis which was a huge step forward for athletes in Canada.
The stigma around cannabis still lies within sports, I think some may simply turn a blind eye. But based on my experience, I saw athletes opt into cannabis for a variety of reasons including; Pain Relief, Restorative Sleep, Accelerated Recovery and Balancing Recreation and Fun. Obviously, chronic pain is a common hurdle for many athletes. Traditional pain medications may come with unwanted side effects, and cannabis provides a healthier alternative. Cannabinoids such as THC, CBD and CBG have all shown promising analgesic properties, reducing pain perception and inflammation. As many of you know, CBD-rich products promote relaxation and reduced anxiety. Many athletes have a hard time coming down after competition or a high-intensity training session. By using cannabis, many athletes can enhance their recovery process and be better prepared for the next day after a good night’s rest. Lastly, athletes are humans, we all look for outlets to have fun and relax. Cannabis can help with a well-rounded life and many athletes, including myself, believe cannabis enhances their appreciation for things like the outdoors, creative pursuits and even social interactions.
I really hope the cannabis conversation grows within USPORT – like workshops and other resources collectively, to educate these athletes to explore cannabis as a possible alternative. I think cannabis companies need to look at partnering more with these schools to assist them at the ground floor, not just research and a monetary push. We need our professionals within these institutions to step up and lead these conversations.”
Taking a moment to highlight athletes leading the charge globally, Jay and Ryan spoke on Elias Theodorou’s impact on the Sports Cannabis community.
Jay Morzaria
“Cannabis advocate and MMA legend Elias Theodorou, a constant driving force in the cannabis industry, sadly passed away last year, leaving behind an incredible legacy. Elias Theodorou was the first athlete to receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption for Cannabis and used his platform to push the plant forward, fighting relentlessly to break the stigma. While he was here with us, he changed the game for athletes both at home and globally, defying limits and pushing for change in policy. It’s important for us to honour him and the work he pushed forward for the community. Without him and his voice, we would not have seen the changes in MMA that we do today.”
Ryan Purvis
“Elias Theodorou’s ability to stand alone was incredible and ultimately inspired my canna-athletic movement. He was one of the only athletes in North America who truly spoke out about cannabis use and his right to use it in sports to treat his bilateral neuropathy. His journey motivated me to join the sports cannabis movement and to use my platform to help spread awareness. Elias has left a legacy for us to continue and I’ll be forever grateful for his energy to do so.”
Moving the conversation forward, Jay continued the discussion, talking about the current landscape of Sports Cannabis, retired and current athletes shifting the narrative as well as the latest in rules, regulations and policy updates.
“The progression in the last ten years has been immense and that’s in large part because of athletes that have been willing to take the lead and change the game by any means necessary.
Notable athletes that have pushed the plant to new heights are; Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist, Ross Rebagliati, retired CFL legend Delvin Breaux Sr., retired NFL athletes, Adam Jones, and Nico Marley, as well as retired professional Rugby Athlete Anna Symonds. Last year, in a historical move, retired NBA Athlete Al Harrington partnered with the NBPA, providing access to his line of CBD products Re+Play. Several months later the NBA took additional step forward, changing policy, permitting cannabis consumption and allowing players to invest within the industry.
In football, a sport that’s riddled with contact, concussions and outdated healing mantras, athletes like former Heisman Winner, Ricky Williams, Eugene Monroe and Mike James have pushed the conversation forward for plant acceptance. In 2016, Eugene Monroe was the first active NFL athlete to advocate for cannabis putting his career in jeopardy for a greater outcome. Two years later, in 2018, former Detroit Lions, Mike James became the first NFL athlete to apply for therapeutic use exemption to stay on the field – citing the negative reaction anti-inflammatories and painkillers were having on his life. With the help of their voices and others, last year the NFL awarded $1 million for studies on cannabinoids’ effects on pain management in football players. The funding was divided between two teams of medical researchers to study the effects of cannabinoids on pain management and neuroprotection from concussion in elite football players.
The greener approach has found its way into golf with athletes like Professional Long Driver, Jacob Golliday advocating for the plant on the green. Pitching a changeup, the MLB became the first professional league to open its arms up to CBD Sponsorship. With new applications like nano-technology, topicals and more, cannabis continues to evolve, however navigating those avenues, understanding how cannabis works and implementing it into one’s life can be challenging, especially here in Canada with the strict rules and regulations in place.”
Wrapping up the panel discussion, Jay spoke on the current hurdles and challenges athletes and patients are facing in Canada and what we can do as a community to grow the Sports Cannabis movement.
“Unfortunately, the products that are on the market today do not always translate as being effective for individuals like myself or patients suffering from an inflammatory disease. There’s a lack of info and options to meet patients’ needs, especially with processed sugary products leading the edible segment. In addition, medical professionals are still hesitant to jump into the industry and provide insight due to the stigma associated with cannabis.
Despite the plant making strides forward, its growth is stifled by stigma and outdated regulations and policies. Today each one of us has an opportunity to change the conversation and that means using our platforms to share our journeys and the pivotal role cannabis has played in our lives for recovery, relief, mental health and wellness. It’s up to us to create that change and I for one believe we can. It’s just a matter of time before we see it in action in a locker room or in an ad at a Super Bowl game or during the NBA playoffs.”
Learn About the Lift Convention: https://liftexpo.ca/
Lift Social Media: Instagram, LinkedIn
Event Organizers: Barry R Smith, Lisa Petty
Sports Cannabis
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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