Though CBS won’t air a medical marijuana ad during its Super Bowl broadcast, that won’t stop others closely associated with football from joining the weed game. Joe Montana, the four-time Super Bowl champion and quarterback legend, announced his venture firm would invest $75 million into a California-based marijuana company, per the Associated Press.
Caliva, the San Jose retailer that calls itself the “most trusted brand in cannabis,” is the recipient of the investment, which will be used to flesh out a vertically integrated company, including a farm, retail store, delivery center, and more. While it’s unknown the amount Montana personally put up, this isn’t first time the football great has invested in marijuana. Previously he invested in the marijuana media company Herb.
Adrenaline still racing from being back on the sidelines with my beautiful wife at Arrowhead. Thanks for having us @Chiefs! Hats off to two absolute superstars and their teams @patrickmahomes5 and @TB12sports…And the gunslinger in the booth @tonyromo – Incredible game! pic.twitter.com/OSzVzOTNhR
— Joseph Montana (@JoeMontana) January 22, 2019
Montana told the Associated Press his firm was investing in an industry he believes “can provide relief to many people and can make a serious impact on opioid use or addiction.”Although Montana has maintained a public dalliance with the cannabis industry, he’s not stated whether he uses the plant either medically or recreationally.
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Plenty of former football players, however, haven’t been so shy, Former running back Ricky Williams launched his “Real Wellness” cannabis brand early last year, while also speaking on squashing the past stigmas he faced from his close association with marijuana.
Others like Willis McGahee and Eben Britton have been vocal advocates for allowing NFL players to use medical marijuana. Meanwhile, Martellus Bennett estimated last year that 9 out of 10 NFL athletes use marijuana. He added that he’s often more surprised when teammates would tell Bennett they didn’t smoke than when they did.
