From March Madness to Reefer Madness:
5 NBA stars directly involved in the cannabis industry
With march madness around the corner, the desire for college basketball is at its peak. Additionally, the cannabis industry is operating at an all-time high. The industry is currently projected to net more than $200 billion by the end of the decade. This is thanks to the variety of entrepreneurs breaking into the cannabis industry. Most entrepreneurs and investors in the cannabis sector have unique backgrounds. Some of the people are recognized outside of the industry. Check out these 5 NBA stars who are currently making ways in the cannabis industry.
Al Harrington
One NBA star and Hall of Famer who has been making headlines recently is Al Harrington. The retired NBA player is an executive in the cannabis industry. Earlier this month, Harrington interviewed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on the current political climate of cannabis. Senator Schumer (D-NY) expressed his support of cannabis legislation making its way to the Senate. If the MORE Act is passed, cannabis will be removed from the Schedule I list of controlled substances. The MORE Act (or ‘Pot Bill’) can be the catalyst for change in cannabis culture (say that three times fast.) Expect Al Harrington to be in the cannabis know-how with his podcast all year long.
Gary Payton
One of the more prominent athletes in the cannabis industry is undoubtedly Gary Payton. NBA Hall of Famer, champion, and the only point guard to win Defensive Player of the Year, Payton has been a trailblazer in the industry for quite some time. Manny cannabis consumers know the NBA star for his strain of the same name versus his investments. Gary Payton crosses the strains ‘The Y’ and ‘Snowman.’ The result is a strain packed with caryophyllene and Indica-dominant traits. Expect for ‘The Glove’ to continue to make headlines in the cannabis industry (especially with his former teammate Shawn Kemp.)
Matt Barnes
Another NBA star operating in the cannabis industry is Matt Barnes. Many people know Barnes for his off-the-court antics (and no, not in the cannabis industry.) However, Barnes, alongside former teammate Stephen Jackson, is investing in a variety of cannabis companies. Many believe that if Matt Barnes had smoked a blunt, he wouldn’t have driven 3+ hours in an attempt to fight his teammate and NBA champion Derrick Fisher. However, the backstory of the incident justified Barnes’ behavior. We are confident he smoked a blunt after the altercation.
Kevin Durant
I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Kevin Durant still in the NBA? Can’t he get in trouble for smoking weed in the NBA?” and the answer to all of the questions mentioned above are yes, yes, and yes. However, investing in the cannabis industry is not prohibited by the NBA. Multiple-time NBA Champion and current apex of Brooklyn Nets basketball, Kevin Durant invested millions in various cannabis ventures. The NBA is undoubtedly one of the most socially forward professional sports leagues today. We do not expect Adam Silver to have a problem with Durant investing in cannabis.
Shawn Kemp
Last on the list of NBA stars involved in the cannabis industry is Shawn Hemp, er we mean Shawn Kemp. Ironically, Kemp was the co-star during the tenure of Gary Payton’s NBA career. Additionally, Shawn Kemp credits Payton with getting him involved in the cannabis industry. Kemp is currently in the works of getting his CBD company up and running on the west coast. Although Shawn Kemp was not about to get an NBA Championship, there is a chance that he will make a slam dunk in the cannabis industry. Let’s make sure not to tell Alton Lister that Shawn Kemp is dunking.