Over the past year, athletes across the globe have made waves and changed the cannabis game, using their platforms to normalize the conversation, advocate for plant-based modalities and break the stigma. We are taking a moment to highlight the Top 23 Athletes who led the Sports Cannabis Movement forward in 2023.
Calvin Johnson Jr.
Retired NFL Superstar, Hall of Famer and Global Icon; Calvin Johnson Jr. is building the future of cannabis.
Johnson was selected 2nd overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, playing 9 seasons. Nicknamed Megatron, he’s regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time with career highlights that include; being a three-time All-Pro, Six-time Pro Bowl Team, the leading receiver two years in a row in 2011’12, holding the title for most receptions in 2012, co-lead the NFL for receiving touchdowns ’08 and in 2021 was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Pushing for an even playing field, in 2019, Johnson was named to the board of directors of the MiCIA (Michigan Cannabis Industry Association), the voice for Michigan’s legal cannabis industry which advocates for sensible laws, regulations and best practices. Changing the game, Johnson partnered with former Detroit Lions teammate Rob Sims to create Primitiv Group, launching several cannabis facilities across the state over the past four years.
Today he’s leading the Sports Cannabis movement forward for athletes around the world, sharing the profound impacts the plant has had on his life.
“Cannabis is a big part of my routine… It has provided me with a great quality of life and that’s what it boils down to. Our collective goal is to build around functionality and an ability to keep moving forward, whether that’s with everyday pains, aches and, or chronic pain, swelling.”
Focused on cannabis education, Johnson and Sims donated resources to the International Phytomedicine and Medical Cannabis Institute at Harvard and believe it’s the path forward for global acceptance.
“We see the value in cannabis and are focused on the science of it as well as being able to provide it in a manner which can improve individuals’ lives…” adding “Looking forward we’ve started to have preliminary discussions of disseminating educational material that’s backed by research. It’s an exciting time for Primitiv as we get closer to sharing the content with respected institutions about cannabis research…”
Ricky Williams
Retired NFL Legend, thought leader and entrepreneur, Ricky Williams is leading the Sports Cannabis charge off the field.
Williams played college football for the Texas Longhorns, receiving All-American honours twice as well as winning the Heisman Trophy in 1998 before taking his talents to the NFL. Ricky was drafted in 1999, in the first round, fifth overall to the New Orleans Saints before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2002 and led the league in rushing, earned First-Team All-Pro honours and as well as a Pro Bowl Selection.
Williams ultimately discovered the healing properties of Cannabis after retiring, partnering in the plant to help manage pain, injuries and the stresses of being an elite professional athlete. Changing the game with Highsman, Ricky is using his platform to empower the plant as well as athletes and sports enthusiasts.
“Right now cannabis is cool and people are interested in it, but they’re missing the part of the story of how it can help make us great and help us get the most out of life…” adding “I first started using cannabis simply because it felt good… I felt better when I smoked and that’s why I kept using it. I value feeling good. I noticed when I felt good, I slept better, I was happier to go to work the next morning and I tended to perform better. It’s an appreciation for feeling good. I would venture to say that’s true for most people. I think the issue is that in most situations there has to be a medical term associated with cannabis and that feeling good isn’t enough of a reason.”
Rohan Marley
Rohan Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, is an entrepreneur, father, global icon and cannabis advocate, sharing his roots and passion for life through a host of unique companies.
Marley played football as a linebacker for the University of Miami Hurricanes. With his undeniable talent and relentless work ethic, Rohan made an instant impact on the field, posting a Miami Hurricanes team-high, 95 tackles in a single season.
On April 20, 2022, Marley, launched Lion Order, a cannabis roots luxury lifestyle brand connected to the essence of life and the Rastafari mindset. No stranger to setting records, Rohan Marley’s Lion Order is dominating the cannabis landscape.
“Cannabis is a way of life. It creates unity, it opens pathways of understanding, it raises consciousness, and connects us to a higher purpose. Our mission is to create the highest quality of herbs and lifestyle products that elevate consciousness and culture…”
With an opportunity to inspire and educate, Rohan is sharing the Lion Order movement with the world as well as empowering cannabis Kings and Queens across the globe.
“The same way I relate to my father’s music is the same way I relate to cannabis…” adding “Lion Order represents the Lion of Judah. The way of man, strength, power, courage and determination. Doing things the right way, moving as a King or Queen, moving with dignity and self-respect and wanting to be a part of a lifestyle and a movement. It’s a way of life and how one should live. Lion Order is a way for us to unite as a people. Whether it’s with cannabis, water, psilocybin, coffee or food, we want to get together around a table, all different ethnicities, different religions, nations and have a real talk about life and love…”
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Rob Sims
Retired NFL Legend Rob Sims has teamed up with Calvin Johson Jr. to build the future of cannabis.
Rob played football at Ohio State University where he was a standout offensive lineman. In 2006, Sims was drafted into the NFL by the Seattle Seahawks and spent 9 seasons dominating the field playing for the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions. In 2015, Rob officially retired from professional football.
Today, Rob and Calvin have created Primitiv Group, a brand focused on the advancement of cannabis as a form of elevated wellness. Shifting the narrative, Rob is using his platform to share the pivotal role cannabis has played in his life.
“Cannabis, in my opinion, saved my career and kept me on the field…” adding “Early in my career, I suffered several injuries and started to get labeled as injury prone. I wanted to get rid of that stigma that was plaguing me and in 2008, I had season-ending surgery. I remember coming out of the surgery, and the medical team handed me a bottle of Vicodin and said, “Take it when you have pain…” I didn’t think that was the right move for my body, and that’s when cannabis became part of the recovery process…”
Dedicated to positively impacting the cannabis industry, Sims believes education will move the plant forward.
“It starts with advocacy, continuing to use our voices, our platforms and our brands to let individuals know that cannabis is ok…” adding “It’s possible to run a business, to have an ethos and a message that is unique to your mission and to stick with that message. It doesn’t always need to be about “getting high”. If we can continue to do that and change the narrative with education, science, research and innovative products the conversation will continue to evolve…”
Adam Jones
From the football field to the boardroom, Retired NFL Legend, Cannabis Advocate and Entrepreneur Adam Jones is shifting the conversation and making a play for mental health and wellness.
Throughout NFL history there are few athletes like Adam “PACMAN” Jones, that have defined greatness and changed the game on a global level. Captivating the hearts of fans with his tenacious play on the field and ferocious appetite to be the best, Adam has led the charge and today is moving the Sports Cannabis conversation forward as an entrepreneur and advocate.
Jones attended West Virginia University where he made a name for himself before being drafted into the NFL in 2005 by the Tennessee Titans as the 6th overall pick. He spent 12 seasons dominating the game with the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos, with highlights that include; NFL All-Rookie Team, PFWA All-AFC selection, First Team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl Selection.
Changing the Sports Cannabis narrative as a thought leader, advocate and entrepreneur, Adam launched PAC24 a CBD lifestyle brand and personally selected his favorite strains to share with the world.
“With Cannabis there are so many different strains that can really help you dial in the way that you need to… I’m a big believer in THC…” adding “After my first neck surgery, the pain was unbearable, I was eating Percocets by the second… The relief that I got from the resin and the weed was so much better than taking the Percocets and other stuff that it made me get dialled into everything with cannabis. I started learning about terpenes, and different strains, and understanding what Cannabis can do to improve mental health and wellness… I’ve got so dialled in that now I can break down a person’s stress or what they are going through and recommend whether to go the Sativa or Indica route…”
Amy Van Dyken
Global Icon, Thought Leader, and Six-Time Competitive Swimming Gold Medalist, Amy Van Dyken is using her platform to push health and wellness forward.
Amy attended Colorado State University where she dominated as a competitive swimmer. Van Dyken instantly made a name for herself across North America breaking the United States 50-yard freestyle record at the 1994 NCAA championship and was named the NCAA Female Swimmer of the Year. Shortly after, she took her talents to the world stage competing at the 1996 Olympics and became the first American Woman in any sport to win 4 gold medals in a single Olympics.
Amy continued her reign of success amassing accolades that include; the ESPN Award for Female Athlete of the Year, World Magazine’s Female Swimmer of the Year, an Induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, USOC Sports Woman of the Year, The Women’s Foundation Sports Woman of the Year, USA Swimmer of the year and received the Associated Press; Female Athlete of the Year award. Four years later at the 2000 Olympics, Amy Van Dyken pushed through injuries, staging the ultimate comeback, winning an additional two gold medals. After retiring, Van Dyken was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as well as the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.
In an unfortunate turn of events, in 2014, Amy was involved in an ATV accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite the setback, Amy was determined to persevere against all odds. Today she is leading the charge as a content creator, speaker, educator, co-host of Terp Tuesday and an advocate for cannabis.
“I was injured and broke my back in an ATV accident. Because of that, I have constant nerve pain. The doctors at that time gave me OxyContin and OxyCodone to help. One day, I was watching Intervention, and noticed a girl they were helping took the same amount of meds all day as I was taking before breakfast…” adding “After learning from my new pain doc, that opioids do NOT help nerve pain…I had to change things. I got off the meds and found cannabis…”
Al Harrington
The cannabis industry much like the game of basketball is constantly evolving and growing at a rapid pace. Retired NBA legend, entrepreneur and Founder of Viola Brands Al Harrington is leading the Sports Cannabis movement across North America, changing the game for athlete entrepreneurs.
Harrington was selected 25th overall in the ’98 NBA draft, playing 16 seasons for the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.
Today, former NBA athlete, Al Harrington is making an impact off the court and has created Viola Brands, a cannabis company named after his grandmother and inspired by the profound impact the plant had on her life.
“Her story is what put the air behind my wings, it got us to where we are today and that’s why we named the company after her. Viola’s her name, it’s our inspiration and we want to continue to honor her.” adding “What I always tell people who are looking at our products is if it’s not good enough to give to my grandmother, I’m not going to put it on a shelf. Those standards are why we are considered a premium, high-quality cannabis company.”
Since its inception, Viola Brands has dominated the cannabis industry and has earned MVP honors from cannabis enthusiasts and connoisseurs across North America. Harrington and Viola Brands are focused on empowering Black and Brown-owned companies as well as legacy operators by putting a premium on social equity initiatives, education and providing greater employment opportunities. Moving forward, Harrington believes education is the key to the plants’ success.
“I believe education will provide the momentum we need to push forward and show people from our communities that despite what we’ve endured there’s a real opportunity in the Cannabis industry.”
Mike James
Retired NFL legend, Cannabis Advocate and Thought Leader Mike James is using his platform to provide a ripple of change across the athletic community.
Mike James started his pursuit for the NFL at the University of Miami. With a fearless attitude, hunger to succeed and ferocious appetite to be the best, Mike was destined for greatness. Following his college career, Mike James was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later retired with the Detroit Lions.
Looking to even the playing field for NFL athletes, Mike James made history as the first NFL athlete to apply for a therapeutic use exemption.
“Cannabis and the health wellness program I created with a team of medical professionals provided significant relief and allowed me to get back to life without the reliance on opioids.” adding “It takes athletes like myself, retired, former and current, to continue to educate and speak on their experiences; this medicine is powerful and will continue to save lives…”
Since retiring, James has joined Rohan Marley’s Lion Order as a VP & Partner. Together, they are pushing forward a movement dedicated to roots, luxury and the Rastafari mindset.
“Rohan was born into this culture. Lion Order is roots luxury, not only the brand but the movement in itself. We connected because Lion Order is the same movement that I was on as a player; the acceptance of this plant and the holistic approach that comes with it.” adding “It’s something that Rohan has been practicing his whole life and it has passed down for generations. Now he’s giving our team and the world the opportunity to join this movement. As humans we have a duty to one another to do our best to preserve human life. The mission is to not only do that but to help liberate those lives into freedom.”
Delvin Breaux Sr.
Retired NFL and CFL legend, best-selling author and thought leader Delvin Breaux Sr. is changing the coverage and making a play for cannabis.
Early in his football career, during a kickoff return, Delvin sustained what medical professionals would consider a career-ending injury, fracturing his C4, C5, and C6 Vertebrae. Despite the setback, Delvin Breaux Sr. would not be denied a professional football career. With a relentless work ethic and ferocious appetite to succeed, Delvin made his dream a reality in 2013 when he was drafted to the CFL by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Shortly after, he took his talents to the NFL to play for the New Orleans Saints in 2015 where he made an instant impact, recovering a fumble in his first game against the Arizona Cardinals and finishing the season with 45 tackles and 3 interceptions. In an unfortunate turn of events, Delvin suffered a fractured Fibula during his first game of the 2016 season, which sidelined him for 6 games and in 2017 endured the same injury again. Despite the constant hurdles, Delvin Breaux Sr. persevered against all odds, heading back to Canada to dominate the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the BC Lions, becoming the league’s highest-paid cornerback before retiring in 2022.
“In 2019 I became the highest-paid cornerback in the CFL. This all happened because I was using Cannabis which allowed my game to elevate and allowed me to dominate on the field…”
Today, Delvin Breaux Sr. is using his platform to share his journey with mental health, wellness and the pivotal role cannabis played in his career. He’s also a best-selling author and in 2020 released “Un-Breaux-Ken” a book he’s written to inspire others to push forward regardless of any obstacles placed in front of them.
“I decided to talk about my story and write my book Un-Breaux-Ken in 2020 because I felt it was time to share my story and inspire others to keep going. I wanted to be able to motivate other people who are going through adversity, whether it’s on the field, in life or at the workplace, to read about what I had endured and know that if I could get through it, they could too…”
Nico Marley
Retired Professional Football Athlete, Cannabis Advocate and Son of Rohan Marley, Nico Marley is taking health and wellness to new heights.
With a ferocious hunger and passion to succeed Nico was destined for greatness. Following in his father’s footsteps, Nico fell in love with football, playing it throughout high school and making a name for himself at Tulane University before taking his talents to the NFL.
“My father has been preaching the Lion Order mentality my whole life, being the lion and the king of your jungle which is the oneness and the Rastafari.” adding “Lion Order has been ten-twenty years in the making… I can show hundreds of texts from my father. Before every high school or university game, he would send me a motivational Lion Order message. Messages like “Make sure you’re running through them, LION ORDER” or “Eyes low, LION ORDER”. Whether it be in that literal sense like when I was playing football or today when I’m running a business and attacking each day with purpose. It’s about having the mindset of being the best that I can be and understanding that I can only control what I can control…”
After retiring from professional football, Nico shifted gears and created Lion X Wellness, a brand inspired by his family legacy focused on nutrition and premium CBD-based products.
“It was an opportunity to blend my life as an athlete and my personal life ethos of natural healing with my business mentality and explore the CBD market… Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me in football, but I enjoyed the process, and eventually, through that process, it worked out because today I’ve created Lion X Wellness and can share it with the world.”
Bo Scaife
Retired NFL Tight End, Bo Scaife is changing the Route and making a play for cannabis.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans, Bo played 8 years, dominating the field and setting a record as the only tight end in NFL history to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown, return a kickoff and record a tackle in the same season.
In 2022, Scaife launched All Pro Farms a brand focused on helping athletes and professionals take control of their mental health and improve their quality of life through premium cannabis solutions. With an opportunity to change the dialogue, Bo is using his platform to talk about the pivotal role cannabis has played in his life and push for an even playing field for NFL athletes.
“I was able to wean myself off Opioids, painkillers and inflammation-prescribed drugs & found that cannabis was giving me the relief I needed…” adding “The NFL has the resources to investigate and examine cannabis and I hope they take the results from the data to make informed decisions that are in the best interests of the players…”
Marshawn Lynch
Retired NFL Legend, Advocate and Entrepreneur, Marshawn Lynch is keeping it Blunt about Cannabis with his latest business venture Dodi Blunts.
Marshawn’s career highlights include; a Super Bowl Championship, First-Team All-Pro in 2012, Second-Team All-Pro in 2014, a 5x Pro Bowl winner, 2x NFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader, and was on the NFL 2010’s All-Decade Team.
Marshawn has been unshy with his opinion, joining a handful of athletes investing in cannabis to bring premium formulated products to the forefront. Today Marshawn Lynch has focused his attention on Dodi Blunts and helping communities of colour.
At the end of the day, the industry has the ability to raise up black and brown communities – and I intend to lift up those who I can…” adding “Dodi has always been a part of my life. If I was going to have a marijuana company, I wanted to make sure I did it the right way.”
Kevin Durant
Global NBA icon, Cannabis Advocate and Entrepreneur, Kevin Durant is pushing for change on and off the court.
Kevin Durant is a Professional NBA athlete with highlights that include; twelve-time NBA All-Star honors, two NBA championships, an NBA Most Valuable Player Award, Two Finals MVP Awards, Two All-Star game MVP Awards, four NBA scoring titles, the NBA Rookie of the Year award and has amassed Two Gold Medals.
Dropping cannabis dimes and using his platform to break the stigma Kevin Durant is looking to normalize the Sports Cannabis conversation.
“To me it clears the distractions out of your brain a little bit, settles you down, it’s like having a glass of wine…”
With Cannabis coming to the forefront and leagues adopting new policies, Durant is betting big on Cannabis and emphasizing the need to shift the outdated cannabis perception.
“We are trying to figure out ways to change the narrative around athletes and marijuana.” adding “It’s confusing for a lot of people, you can look around this city, there’s going to be dispensaries to buy weed, and then you got people in jail for 20 years for selling a pound…”
Ross Rebagliati
Twenty-five years ago, Cannabis made headlines at the Winter Olympics after Iconic Canadian Snowboarder, Ross Rebagliati took home gold at the Winter Olympics and tested positive for cannabis.
Over the last two decades, the cannabis landscape and conservation have shifted, yet THC remains on the banned substance list. Ross Rebagliati has been at the forefront of the conversation as an entrepreneur and cannabis advocate fostering the movement forward.
“It’s been nearly 26 years of pushing the envelope, first with cannabis legalization and now the business of it. At the center of it all is and has always been the level of acceptance, stigma and stereotype directed towards people who use cannabis and attempt to earn a living from it. As it now relates to a federally regulated market here in Canada it’s about allowing the industry to expand into public consumption lounges and the option to buy cannabis drinks anywhere alcohol is sold. Farm gate craft facilities and lower taxes. My passion for cannabis far exceeds any barriers that may exist… To me, Cannabis presents itself as an opportunity for change…”
Pushing for change, Ross is hopeful that THC will be removed from the banned substances list in the future.
“It’s irresponsible to keep cannabis a part of the list of banned substances… It’s a natural product, it grows from the ground, it’s healthy and you can use it in a healthy way. CBD was taken off the banned substance list from WADA which is super positive.. But, THC is not something they should be concerned with.. The list of banned substances is about a fair playing field and that’s it…”
As the cannabis industry continues to flourish, Ross is putting a premium on transparent conversations and education.
Eugene Monroe
In 2016, Eugene Monroe was the first active NFL player to openly advocate for medical cannabis, speaking about the profound effects it’s had on his life as well as promoting education and pushing for normalization.
Eugene played seven seasons in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens. Eugene has become a lead advocate for medical cannabis research and policy reform in the NFL.
“Cannabis has replaced the need for pharmaceutical pain meds and anti-inflammatories… I don’t consume any other medication other than cannabis…”
Since retiring Eugene Monroe has led the charge off the field, and early on received approvals for cultivating and manufacturing in New Jersey’s Cannabis adult-use market. Focused on moving the cannabis industry forward Monroe co-founded Green Thumb Industries, a publicly-traded company that is dedicated to bringing safe, quality cannabis products to retail locations nationwide.
A creative at heart, Eugene has teamed up with Leo Bridgewater to cultivate “Smoke and Heroes”, a show dedicated to athletes and veterans. Putting a premium on empowering entrepreneurs of color, Monroe has founded Heart Community Capital, an organization that provides roadmaps, resources and funding to Black and Brown-owned Cannabis Startups.
Alex Morgan
Professional Soccer Athlete, Gold Medalist, Entrepreneur and Cannabis Advocate Alex Morgan is using her platform to change the narrative and break the stigma.
Known for her speed, strength and scoring ability, Alex is a global soccer icon making waves around the world with career accolades that include; the Fifa Women’s World Cup Champions in 2015 and 2019, a Gold Medal at the 2012 Olympics and a Bronze Medal at the 2020 Olympics, 4X Champions of the She Believes Cup, ESPY Best Female Athlete in 2019, the ESPY Award for Best Team in 2015 and 2019, recipient of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the year in 2012 and 2018, Fifa FIFAPRO Women’s World in 2016’17’19’21 and 2022, IFFHS Women’s World Team in 2017’2019, 2021’22 and recipient of the NWSL Golden Boot in 2022.
From the soccer field to the boardroom, Alex has teamed up with professional athletes Klay Thompson, Travis Pastrana and Paul Rodriguez to change the recovery game for athletes. Together, they’ve created JustLive, a CBD company that caters to fitness enthusiasts of all levels looking for clean natural alternatives.
Shedding light on the profound effects the plant has had on her life, Alex talks about partnering in CBD at night for recovery and relief.
“The CBD tincture is an important recovery process for me after practice and games… It works best when I use it during my nightly routine for bed…” adding “In today’s world with all the stress and anxiety we have, and for me personally as a mom, an athlete and a businesswoman, I need to get a good night’s sleep because I need to wake up energized… I need to feel like I’m ready to tackle the day each and every day…”
Bethany Semeiks
Skating to break the stigma, normalize the conversation and push for change, Bethany Semeiks is moving the needle forward and paving the path for athletes around the world.
For 8 years Bethany Semeiks was known as the “B-Train” dominating Women’s Roller Derby and today she’s using CBD to help with sleep, recovery and relief. With an opportunity to shift the perception, Bethany is using her platform to move timely topics to the forefront, create awareness and advocate for cannabis.
“We have decades of stigma to fight! Coming out of Medical Cannabis History, Culture and Policy, we can see the moments in time when there was an opportunity to shift the cannabis conversation to medicine instead of crime.” adding “Unfortunately, that moment passed and then there was Nixon, the War on Drugs, DARE and sweet Nancy Reagan creating the stigma. Cannabis can help a variety of ailments for humans and pets, I’ve even incorporated CBD use into my dogs routine… ”
Looking ahead, Bethany talks about the future of Cannabis and athletics.
“As long as WADA bans all cannabinoids except CBD isolate, overall adoption will stand still. I would love to see all cannabinoids as available in every professional, college and hobby sports locker as Advil.”
Today, Bethany Semeiks has teamed up with six-time Olympic Champion, Amy Van Dyken to create Terp Tuesdays, a show dedicated to moving education forward.
Darren McCarty
Retired Four-Time Stanley Cup Champion, Detroit Red Wings legend, cannabis advocate and entrepreneur Darren McCarty is enforcing change.
Early in his career, Darren McCarty made a name for himself on the ice as an enforcer. Darren was selected in the 2nd round of the 1992 NHL draft by the Detroit Red Wings. McCarty played 15 seasons in the league with career accolades that include; scoring 19 goals and 42 points in the 96’97 NHL season and earning Four Stanley Cup Championship Titles in 1997’98, 2002 and in 2008.
Today he’s cultivating a unique brand to assist athletes of all levels on their health and wellness journey as well as sharing his passion for the plant and the benefits of the endocannabinoid system. Taking an opportunity to shift the narrative Darren joined our team to talk about the McCarty Cannabis Movement.
“I believe in making uncomfortable conversations comfortable, whether it’s about weed or battling alcoholism. It’s not about what I take or use, it’s about the education.” Adding “I’ve always embraced my connection to weed openly, not because I believe it’s glamorous, but because I’m passionate about educating and destigmatizing it. When I walk into a room and someone comments on the smell or questions my choices, I proudly say, “I own the brand, I’m Darren McCarty, and I’m supposed to smell like weed…”
Ian McCall
Retired UFC/MMA Icon, World Champion, and Cannabis/Psychedelic Advocate, Ian McCall is paving the path for athletes and patients outside of the octagon, fighting for change and using his platform to break the stigma.
“I defied the cannabis stigma in my athletic career by just smoking pot and becoming a world champion…”
Today Ian has dedicated his life to spreading education, moving Cannabis and Psychedelic research forward as well as creating unique content in an effort to provide a ripple of laughter, joy and humour to the Cannabis/Psychedelic conversation.
“These medicines truly saved my life…” adding “This is what I teach now is the performance with psychedelics. I mean, you do get some sort of performance benefit with THC or with cannabis as a whole, CBD has anti-inflammation properties, there’s a little bit of a pain-killing effect and it helps with things like stretching. Most athletes that I know, like to perform high. They like to consume before heading to the gym because it relaxes them, it takes away their anxiety. For me personally, mixing cannabis and micro-dosing has been huge for my workouts and I find it really beneficial…They help you get directly in the flow state…”
Liz Carmouche
Cannabis Advocate, Thought Leader and Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Champion, Liz Carmouche is fighting to break the stigma.
Liz spent five years in the Marine Corps as an aviation electrician before taking her talents to professional MMA with career highlights that include; a Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship in 2022’23 as well as competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the Women’s Bantamweight division.
A constant force, Liz is using her platform to change the Sports Cannabis narrative, advocating for plant-based modalities, CBD education and cannabis implementation in major sports leagues.
“My movement is to normalize cannabis use across all major sports leagues so that everyone can benefit from it…” adding “Normalizing the cannabis conversation looks to me like speaking with doctors about my use and how it’s helped me. Speaking to my peers about use and benefits as well as talking to elders… Cannabis bans for athletes and the military needs to be removed. As well as providing better testing to distinguish between CBD and Cannabis…”
Anna Symonds
Retired Rugby legend, cannabis advocate, ambassador and educator Anna “ @exitdrug “ Symonds is changing the way we think about plant-based modalities through transparent conversations and an emphasis on education.
Anna Symonds dominated the field with highlights that include; a USA Rugby Div 1 National Championship, a Sydney (Aus) Premiership Championship, and 4 national championships in the sport of Touch Rugby along with representing the USA Women’s Team at the 2015 Touch Rugby World Cup. Since retiring, Anna has taken her talents off the field advocating for cannabis and sharing a much-needed dose of education as a speaker and thought leader.
“I believe in the whole plant, I believe in Cannabis…”
Today, she’s leading the charge as the Executive Director for the Etheridge Foundation, a nonprofit organization advancing transformative plant medicine treatments for opioid use disorder. Normalizing the conversation, Anna has used her platform to break the stigma as well as empower fellow athletes in the Sports Cannabis community.
“We as athletes have an opportunity to share our message when we receive benefits from this wonderful healing plant. We know that those benefits should be available to everyone and we need to advocate for that.” adding “Don’t be afraid of your power… Freedom is sometimes lonely and scary, but it’s exhilarating and worth it…”
Darryl Reynolds
Villanova alumni and NCAA Champion Darryl Reynolds is changing the game on and off the court as a best-selling Author, Actor, Cannabis Advocate and Host of Sports Cannabis’s The Halftime Report.
Today, D Rey is using his platform to normalize the canna-athletic conversation one mountain at a time, helping others through his journey, sharing his experiences with cannabis and the pivotal role it has played in his life.
“Cannabis allows me to tap into a flow state where my mind can think at a different rate, a sustainable rate that allows me to pump out some of my best work, stress and anxiety-free…”
Shifting the narrative D Rey is pushing candid, infused conversations forward with active and retired professional athletes on the Halftime Report.
“With each episode, we’ve learned about a problem that was solved and another that sprouted from it. It’s been decriminalized in many cities but there are still a ton of people serving time for it. The fight is nowhere near over and breaking the stigma is only the first step. I believe with enough people moving the needle in the right direction, it’s only a matter of time until cannabis is a household plant…”
Jacob “Jesus of Golf” Golliday
In the last two decades, golf has entered a rapid transformation with new athletes disrupting traditional culture and infusing the sport with colour, young spirits, long drives and green moments. Jacob Golliday, a man of many talents, is the face of change in Golf.
Today he’s pushing change on and off the green through advocacy, education and transparent conversations.
“During a full season of Golf, Long Drive Competitions and constant training, Cannabis helps me get into the zone. It helps with recovery, mental stability and provides an ability to shut off when needed. The next step is using education to normalize the Sports Cannabis conversation and break the stigma.” Adding “Athletes from all walks of life have been stepping up to advocate for their beliefs in cannabis and seeing the entire community and the culture embrace the plant has been amazing…”
The greener approach has provided new heights for Jacob’s career, and as the cannabis industry continues to grow so does Jesus of Golf’s following. Outside of moving the needle at tournaments, as an advocate and entrepreneur, he’s sharing invaluable golf tips, tricks and tools on his Instagram.
“Now when I arrive at events or tournaments everyone already knows what’s up, what I advocate for, and what my beliefs are. Instead of having to explain my entire story, I’m able to showcase the Humboldt herb, educate and move the culture forward with unique, fun and compelling content.”
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