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When a heavyweight like Mike Tyson steps into the ring, the world pays attention. This time, however, the punch isn’t aimed at an opponent—it’s directed at decades of failed federal cannabis policy. Tyson, joined by NBA champion Kevin Durant, NBA icon and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Allen Iverson, NFL athletes Ricky Williams and Dez Bryant, and a roster of former athletes have signed a powerful letter to former President Donald Trump. Their ask is clear: cannabis reform now. From clemency for nonviolent cannabis convictions to reclassifying the plant and addressing discriminatory banking policies, this united front is not just advocating for policy change—they’re demanding a cultural shift that aligns with science, justice, and economic opportunity.

The group, officially named the “Coalition of Athletes and Entertainers Supporting President Trump’s Policy Objectives,” is leveraging its collective voice and influence to shift national perception and law. Their three-pronged plea begins with clemency for individuals still serving excessive sentences for nonviolent cannabis offenses. “Today, people continue to serve lengthy federal sentences for conduct that is now legal in most states, which makes their continued incarceration not only cruel but absurd,” the letter states.

These words strike at the core of the criminal justice crisis, highlighting the disconnect between state-level legalization and federal enforcement. The letter also takes aim at President Biden’s unfulfilled promises: “After making sweeping promises to voters in 2020, former President Biden failed to deliver on his pledge to address marijuana-related injustices. Not only did he leave office without commuting the sentences of those incarcerated for marijuana, but in one of his final acts, he denied nearly every pending marijuana-related clemency application.”

The second reform point addresses the plant’s outdated Schedule I classification, which places cannabis in the same legal category as heroin, despite overwhelming scientific evidence of its therapeutic benefits. The group argues, “Marijuana’s current classification as a Schedule I substance is scientifically outdated, economically detrimental, and at odds with modern medical understanding. Rescheduling marijuana would harmonize federal law with state policies, promote innovation, encourage research, and drive economic growth.” With cannabis already legalized in 40 states and supporting over 450,000 jobs, the move would not only unlock research potential but also solidify the plant’s role in modern medicine and wellness.

Equally pressing is the need to eliminate discriminatory banking practices that plague legal cannabis businesses. These businesses, despite operating within the bounds of state law, are often denied access to banking services, loans, and even mortgages for their employees. “Despite operating legally in 40 states, employing over 450,000 Americans, and generating more than $35 billion annually, these businesses face unjust barriers to banking services, and their employees struggle to obtain mortgages from traditional lenders.” Without access to fair banking, cannabis entrepreneurs—many of them former athletes turned wellness advocates—face insurmountable financial roadblocks.

The letter continues, “Moreover, cannabis businesses cannot take standard business deductions, leading to effective tax rates often exceeding 85%. While foreign cannabis companies benefit from listings on U.S. exchanges, such as NYSE and NASDAQ, American cannabis operators are unjustly excluded.” This not only puts American operators at a competitive disadvantage but stifles innovation and limits reinvestment into communities most affected by cannabis criminalization.

Athletes like Ricky Williams, who lost years of his NFL career to cannabis suspensions, are no strangers to the hypocrisies embedded in drug policy. Today, many of these athletes are building wellness brands, launching cannabis ventures, and advocating for access to plant-based recovery. Their lived experiences give them a unique platform to connect sports, science, and policy.

The full list of signatories spans the sports and entertainment landscape, from NBA champions like JR Smith and Chris Webber to NFL legends Jim McMahon and Champ Bailey, alongside cultural figures such as rapper Lil Pump and musician Wyclef. This is more than a letter—it’s a legacy-defining moment for sports and cannabis policy. By using their platform to demand justice, reform, and economic access, athletes like Mike Tyson and Kevin Durant are taking the fight outside of the ring and off the court, putting pressure on federal lawmakers to catch up with public sentiment and science.