NBA players and their tryst with marijuana are no secret. In the past, we’ve witnessed the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Allen Iverson confess to smoking pot, with a few even advocating it. Amid the Bubble season, the league decided to remove w**d from its drug testing policy.
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Players won’t be subject to random tests for marijuana this season, according to @NBPA memo shared w/ players and obtained by ESPN. That’s been adjusted policy thru Orlando restart and 2020-‘21 season. Testing continues for “drugs of abuse and performance enhancing substances.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 6, 2021
Nonetheless, smoking pot in the United States isn’t legal in all states, making it a bit of a confusing situation. NBA players being arrested on marijuana consumption or possession is no secret, the latest being the case of Iman Shumpert and Montrezl Harrell.
NBA player Iman Shumpert was arrested after TSA found over 6 ounces of weed in his backpack at a Dallas airport pic.twitter.com/1DQXSn6Gkq
— No Jumper (@nojumper) August 3, 2022
However, this hasn’t stopped players from pursuing their entrepreneurial aspirations in the cannabis business. In 2021, Pistons legend Isiah Thomas announced his entry into the cannabis industry, making a $3 million investment into One World Pharma Inc.
Also read: 6ft 7′ Montrezl Harrell escapes 5-year imprisonment on marijuana charges
The former Bad Boy Pistons member is one of the largest minority owners of the marijuana business in the United States, also earning him the CEO position in the company.
A look into Isiah Thomas’ Cannabis business proposition.
With the funds obtained from Zeke’s holding company Isiah International, One World Pharma hopes to build a THC and CBD extraction facility in Colombia and subsidize future growth.
In a report by Benzinga, Thomas explained that, after conducting an extensive analysis of the Colombian and global markets, he now believes “there is a tremendous opportunity” to build a valuable and ESG-compliant (environmental, social, and governance) company that is a significant player in the global cannabis and industrial hemp industry.
Let it be known @OneWorldPharma @isiah_internatl https://t.co/47jT7yTqIk
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) February 9, 2021
“There are few, if any, reliable, industrial scale, global supply chain companies in this space and we intend to be one. I am pleased to initiate this next chapter of growth,” the former Finals MVP added.
Zeke even dreams of making hemp cars in the future, making them environmentally friendly, and replacing plastic with industrial hemp.
NBA players in the marijuana business.
In 2021, Carmelo Anthony and John Wall helped the California-based w**d company LEUNE raise $5 million, which also included funding from NBA agent Rich Paul and Melo’s ex LA LA Anthony.
New #SportsBiz read: #NBA stars John Wall, Carmelo Anthony invest in cannabis company LEUNE … part of a $5M round…
If you recall, Al Harrington is also prominent in the marijuana space with his Viola brand #Blazers #Rockets https://t.co/mD3PxnqpcE
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) April 15, 2021
Former Pacers forward Al Harrington’s second career: marijuana tycoon. And now he’s getting Allen Iverson involved. Here’s how Harrington became such a force in the cannabis industry:
https://t.co/bsegYX3I8L— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) October 30, 2021
Sixers MVP and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, who has a controversial history when it comes to smoking pot, joined hands with Al Harrington.
