As the NBA lifted marijuana out of the blacklist of their drug-testing protocols, many players rejoiced as they can finally invest their money in the ever-growing cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis is a much safer drug to consume and there are sufficient studies about its medical benefits from multiple countries around the world.
While its legalization within the NBA circles is long overdue, there are former and current players who invested in the industry and they would love to expand their products to far greater heights in the future. Below are some of the names of notable current or former players who already have their hands dipped in the cannabis industry.
- Al Harrington – Former NBA player who played for the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Orlando Magic. Harrington is the founder of Harrington Wellness, a cannabis company that focuses on producing cannabis-based products for medical and recreational use.
- Cliff Robinson – Former NBA player who played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets. Robinson was known for being an advocate for cannabis use and after his retirement from the NBA, he started his own cannabis business called Uncle Cliffy.
- Kevin Durant – Current NBA player who currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets. Durant has invested in the cannabis industry through his venture capital firm, Thirty Five Ventures, which has backed several cannabis companies.
- Matt Barnes – Former NBA player who played for the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and other teams. Barnes co-founded a cannabis company called Seven Leaves, which focuses on producing cannabis products for medicinal and recreational use.
- Richard “Rip” Hamilton – Former NBA player who played for the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, and Chicago Bulls. Hamilton has invested in the cannabis industry and has been involved in various cannabis-related businesses.
- Lamar Odom – Former NBA player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and other teams. Odom has invested in the cannabis industry and has launched his own line of cannabis-based products called Rich Soil Organics.
- Shawn Kemp – Former NBA player who played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and other teams. Kemp owns a cannabis dispensary called Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis, which is located in Seattle, Washington.
- Gary Payton – Former NBA player who played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Milwaukee Bucks, and other teams. Payton has invested in the cannabis industry and has partnered with cannabis companies to launch his own line of cannabis products.
- Wilson Chandler – Former NBA player who played for the Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, and other teams. Chandler has invested in the cannabis industry and has been involved in various cannabis-related businesses.
- Chris Webber – Former NBA player who played for the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and other teams. Webber has invested in the cannabis industry and has been involved in various cannabis-related businesses.
- John Salley – Former NBA player who played for the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and other teams. Salley has invested in the cannabis industry and has been an advocate for cannabis use for medicinal purposes.
- Stephen Jackson – Former NBA player who played for the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, and other teams. Jackson has invested in the cannabis industry and has been involved in various cannabis-related businesses.
The list is expected to grow in the nearby future as the cannabis industry continues to expand throughout the decade. One thing is for sure – this huge step for the NBA will receive an overwhelmingly positive response from the public for years to come.
