Culture
Golden Joe Montana Joins ‘Team Cannabis’
In a turn of events that developed over recent months, Joe Montana has become arguably one of the most iconic American figures to come out in support of reform and even join the industry.
In a time when many are jumping on the boat, few can bring their star power to the cannabis industry at the level of four-time Super Bowl winner and three-time Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana.
While he isn’t the first NFL player or mega-celeb to join the fight, and maybe make or two in the process, he’s definitely among the biggest in either regard. Montana joins Whoopi Goldberg and Willie Nelson as one of the most recognizable figures on the pro-cannabis side to many American households. And one could easily argue that Montana, as one of the most elite players in the history of America’s biggest sport, brings a completely different kind of fan base to the marijuana industry.
Here’s what that different kind of fanbase heard from Montana: “Legalization is picking up steam on a global level and I feel like now is the time to spread information about the curing capabilities of this plant. As with any medicine, increased accessibility comes with the need for education.”
As Montana told Playboy’s Sergey Nivens, it’s a big deal. In many towns where football is king, people consider one of the worst offenses to be getting caught with a joint in your pocket. Imagine a place like Alabama, where towns often shut down for a college football team and any amount of cannabis on your person can get you a $6,000 fine and a year in jail. That’s an important place to switch up messaging! Maybe the awesome jokes from Goldberg and acoustic guitars from Nelson weren’t getting through. Maybe it’s time for a little pigskin-laced messaging.
Montana’s venture into the cannabis industry so far has come in the form of investment by helping the cannabis website Herb raise 4.1 million dollars, as reported by the San Jose Mercury News.
At the intersection of cannabis and sports, the news of Golden Joe’s arrival to the pro-cannabis team has been taken very well.
“One of the greatest of all time is now on team cannabis. That’s going to go a long way to change the negative stigma around the plant,” said 420 Games Founder Jim McAlpine, in comments to Cannabis Now, as he made the final preparations for the 420 Games to hit the world famous Santa Monica pier next weekend.
McAlpine, who has worked with a few athletes as they’ve attempted to transition into the cannabis industry, believes the arrival of someone to the industry and movement of Montana’s name-recognition will surely make waves.
“Having a legend like Golden Joe share his success and happiness with medical cannabis is pure gold for the cannabis industry,” said McAlpine.
TELL US, are you excited for Joe Montana’s next move in the cannabis industry?