Coming around at a summer where athletes in cannabis faced some criticism is another new athlete-cannabis brand partnership. Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant declared his collaboration with the platform Weedmaps, which will fashion several podcasts and videos. These videos, released under the title of his Boardroom TV series, plan to remove stigma around cannabis in sports.
Durant told ESPN it’s “far past time” that people addressed antagonization of cannabis in athletics. “This partnership is going to help us continue to normalize those conversations,” he continues. “As well as create content, events, and a lot more through our Boardroom media network. This is just the beginning for us.”
via @weedmaps on Instagram
The NBA continues to scrutinize cannabis use
While the drug testing program held by the NBA closed in the 2020-2021 season, they just started up again. Last month, Jalen Harris of the Toronto Raptors received a year suspension for violating the anti-drug policy. It’s likely the NBA’s aggressive anti-cannabis stance which ropes it in with significantly more dangerous substances could be a topic of the partnership’s content.
Kevin Durant has not commented on whether or not he uses cannabis at this time. He stated his desire for fellow players in the league to join his efforts to open discussions about cannabis in professional sports.
Another NBA player suspended in 2018, Thabo Sefolosha, admitted he does not consider the suspension a “badge of honor,” maintaining a more casual stance. He has no intentions of “advertising marijuana,” and it’s something he wouldn’t “encourage [his] kids to do.” That said though, he does acknowledge he shares a general pro-cannabis stance.
“I was fighting internally to change the rules. It’s something that should’ve been dealt with a long time ago. I understand the league doesn’t want to promote it,” Sefolosha told ESPN. “I don’t want to send the wrong message. But it’s a happy substitute for harder drugs, ones the team doctor might even give you…. And I had to learn that on my own.”
Durant is one of several current and former NBA players advocating cannabis in the sports industry. That said, this partnership with Weedmaps is the biggest venture into the industry by an active player. We can only hope that this will inspire more and more figures to acknowledge the looming misconceptions about weed’s effects on athletes.
More Cannabis and Music Content
RESPECT MY REGION, HOUSE OF CULTIVAR, AND FOUNTAINHEAD SEEDS LAUNCH “7 DAYS A WEEK”
9 RAPPERS FROM DETROIT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS YEAR
BERNER, CEO OF COOKIES INTERVIEW: THE MAN BEHIND THE BIGGEST WEED BRAND IN THE WORLD
BIDEN PARDONS THOUSANDS FOR POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, CALLS FOR REVIEW OF CANNABIS SCHEDULING
7 TIPS FOR MARKETING CANNABIS AND CBD ON TIKTOK AND INSTAGRAM
MOORE KISMET OPENS UP ABOUT THEIR SECRET DOUBLE LIFE AS AN EDM SUPERSTAR
