Allen Iverson: ‘Hashish Modified My Idea Procedure, I Consider In Plant Medication’ 2024

“I began smoking hashish in college, during my sophomore year,” reveals NBA legend Allen Iverson. “By the time I entered my rookie year, I came across something quite potent that changed my perspective on smoking.”

Now a connoisseur of cannabis, Iverson has teamed up with Al Harrington’s Viola Brands to launch a line of cannabis products under The Iverson Collection name.

However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing in the marijuana world for Iverson. In fact, the athlete was arrested for pot possession back in 1997.

“The first time I smoked, my high hit me really fast. It was my first day on campus, and the coach came up to our apartment looking for me while I was high as a kite. I went straight to clean up and hide everything, and he was only coming by to check on me since it was my first day. But I was really scared he’d notice I was high. So, my first smoking experience was great until I realized he was looking for me.”

The Proper Spouse And The Proper Manner

“Many people had approached me about cannabis in the past, but none of the offers felt right—until I received a call from Al [Harrington],” Iverson explains when asked about his partnership with Viola. “Al explained his vision to me, how he’s trying to help people—especially our people—by educating them and raising awareness about the benefits of cannabis and the stigma surrounding it.”

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Athletes Are Tackling The Opioid Disaster With Hashish

“Drawn by Harrington’s vision and his mission to assist and educate people while empowering communities of color, Iverson finally joined the cannabis movement. ‘I was all in from that point on. For me, being part of the first Black-owned cannabis multinational is significant.’”

The connection between the 2 NBA legends is going way

past industry, even though: It’s very private.

“If I could share a joint with anyone, dead or alive, it would still be Al Harrington,” Iverson asserts. “He’s been advocating for weed for years, and he’s confident that the cannabis he shares with me will be right for me. So I trust him; that makes me comfortable.”

For Harrington, Iverson was the perfect fit for Viola. “When I think about what we’re doing in the cannabis space, as a Black-owned company that stands out… I also thought about how Allen impacted not just the league but players like myself. Allen was a game-changer, disruptive, and always himself. That’s how I view Viola too.”

He adds, “Allen really challenged corporate America, which wasn’t pleased with a lot of what he was doing.”

Harrington argues that this paved the way for a new generation of basketball players. Now, Viola aims to do something similar for cannabis entrepreneurs, especially those of color.

“Once I think about the impact and the awareness we want to bring, I just couldn’t think of anyone better in the sports world to do this with besides Allen,” he adds.

According to the duo, the partnership was solidified after Iverson visited Viola’s 18,000-square-foot Detroit grow operation in March.

“Seeing the full-scale operation, the genuine dedication to the plant, and Viola’s unwavering commitment to increasing minority participation and ownership in the cannabis industry (which is currently at just 4%), Allen was convinced that this partnership was meant to be,” Harrington explained in a previous interview with Forbes.

Indica-Dominant, For Our Other people

The primary cannabis product in The Iverson Collection is an Indica-dominant strain named ‘96. The name references the year Allen “The Answer” Iverson was drafted into the NBA.

This strain is a cross between Secret Kush Mints and Grape Stomper.

See additionally: EXCLUSIVE: Allen Iverson, Magic

Johnson, Isiah Thomas And Al Harrington Reward Manu

Ginobili

This sophisticated flavor profile combines a robust grape candy-like aroma with notes of pine and mint. According to Harrington, ‘96 is coated in crystal trichomes and showcases a range of colors drawn from Secret Kush Mints’ vibrant greens and Grape Stomper’s distinctive purples.

Al and Allen explain that the strain was meticulously crafted with their own culture in mind.

“I feel like our culture leans more towards Indicas than Sativas,” Harrington notes. However, he assures that The Iverson Collection will soon feature Sativas, hybrids, and a variety of other exciting products.

“However the first one had to be truly representative of our culture—Indica, grape-flavored, you know,” Iverson adds. “The ’96 strain not only tastes great, but it also lets you sit back and relax—and maybe watch some basketball highlights.”

Indeed, it wasn’t just the effects of ’96 that were tailored to their specific culture. The grape-forward flavor also carries its own legacy.

“Our culture loves ‘gas,’ cannabis that tastes like gas or diesel. We want that potent stuff. So, when we considered this opportunity with Allen Iverson, we knew it had to taste like gas and grapes. And we nailed it,” Harrington explains.

“I wanted something that reminded me of Dom Perignon, and this was it,” Iverson concludes.

Beyond cannabis, The Iverson Collection features non-herb products. The initial merchandise lineup includes t-shirts, hoodies, grinders, lighters, basketballs, and more.

Wellbeing And Wellness

While The Iverson Collection isn’t strictly marketed as a medicinal cannabis line, both Iverson and Harrington find therapeutic uses for it.

“I use it for medicinal purposes, definitely,” Harrington declares. “The life I lead now—running a business, being a husband, raising kids, and taking care of my family—requires something to help me unwind. I also use it to treat the numerous injuries I sustained during my career. I haven’t taken any over-the-counter pharma medications in probably 10 years. It’s so common in my family that even my kids know what cannabinoids are.”

Iverson agrees wholeheartedly with his good friend Al. “People have their own opinions, and that’s fine. From my standpoint, I’m living proof that a cannabis user can be active. It’s not the weed that makes you lazy; it’s just a mindset.”

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“This is definitely a lifestyle. It’s medicine, but also for hanging out with friends,” he adds. “It’s something I truly believe in. I believe in plant medicine.”

When asked about stereotypes regarding cannabis users being lazy and unproductive, the basketball duo lights up with laughter.

“We don’t even have those conversations anymore. Let them Google it,” they say in unison, laughing out loud. “Yeah, they can just Google it.”

And Harrington continues: “We change the stigma on a daily basis by staying active, productive, and smart. When people heard that Allen was interested in cannabis, they all started reaching out. I’ve seen maybe 50 other big celebrities wanting to enter the industry since then. And I love that. This is a multi-billion-dollar industry right in front of us. It would be a shame if those who look like us didn’t benefit from it.”

But for all this to work, he says, cannabis needs to be regulated at the federal level, “kind of like liquor.” And he believes that change is coming soon.

However, there’s extra urgent factor: clemency

&expungement.

“That’s the stuff that really matters. Freeing the people who are in prison for providing for their families while we’re now doing the same thing and being able to do it legally.”

Join Us
Catch several pro-cannabis athletes at the most successful cannabis industry event in the world, the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference.

Returning to Miami for its sixteenth edition, this is where deals get done, money is raised, M&A begins, and companies meet investors and key partners. Join us at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort in Florida on April 11-12. Don’t miss out.

By Forbes. Original publication: Oct 8, 2021.

En español: Hablamos de Cannabis con Allen Iverson y Al Harrington, Estrellas de la NBA: ‘Es un Estilo de Vida’