CULTIVATE WITH SCOTT SWAIL & DREW EMMER
SUPER BOWL® CHAMP TACKLES STIGMA OF CANNABIS AND ITS SCHEDULE 1 STATUS
Retired NFL® great Marvin Washington is challenging the U.S. Department of Justice, the NFL Players Association and the populous when it comes to the benefits of cannabinoid-based therapies.
Every day, Washington uses CBD to offset chronic pain caused by injuries from playing professional football. Plus CBD helps him stay active in his retirement. Washington tells his story, including how he advocates for everyone’s freedom to choose medicinal cannabis.
“Put it before the people and let the people decide.”
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WHAT TO CATCH IN MARVIN WASHINGTON’S CULTIVATE EPISODE:
– What percent of people know about medicinal value of CBD and THC? (1:20)
– How CBD oil can help athletes (2:11)
– Athletes for Care is an organization of retired professional athletes raising awareness for medical cannabis and cannabinoids (3:45)
– Learn about professional football denying therapeutic-use exemption for cannabis for chronic pain (5:58)
– How CBD can ease pain for active adults: CBD isn’t addictive. CBD doesn’t get you high. (7:50)
– CBD is both an anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory (8:35)
– Washington is on the management team of Montel Williams’s CBD company Lenitiv™ (10:26)
– How the NFL is working with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to create a cannabis program that could impact the NBA®, MLB®, NHL®. (11:30)
– How soon can the players union vote on the cannabis topic in collective bargaining? (12:36)
– CTEs and opiate addiction from chronic pain are two main conditions driving NFL players need for medical cannabis (13:15)
– Why was cannabis labeled a “Schedule I drug?” (15:04)
– Learn about class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice to remove cannabis from Schedule I list (16:14)
– When will the United States legalize cannabis for adult-use? (19:17)
– What are the benefits of “Big Tobacco” and “Big Pharma” entering the cannabis space? (21:28)
– What cannabis products does Marvin Washington use daily? Isodiol® and AXIM® Biotechnologies Inc.’s controlled-release cannabidiol (CBD) chewing gum (24:22)
– Medicinal miracles can happen with CBD (30:38)
Marvin Washington’s Pro Football Career
- Retired NFL defensive end
- Super Bowl XXXIII Champion with Denver Broncos
- Played for New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos over the course of 11 seasons
- Drafted 6th round of 1989 NFL draft by New York Jets
Denver Broncos defensive end Marvin Washington (95) in the AFC Championship on January 17, 1999, at Mile High Stadium in Denver. (Jack Dempsey, Associated Press file; The Cannabist)
CANNABIS FOR PLAYER’S INJURIES
As research into medical cannabis grows, so does its number of supporters, particularly in the athletic community. Washington is blazing a trail for athletes interested in the benefits of cannabinoid-based therapies. He’s an entrepreneur with a line of hemp-infused products called Iso-Sport™. Both pro athletes and active adults use the CBD products to treat chronic pain and inflammation.
“Once you know the truth about this plant, you have a responsibility to tell others,” Washington said.
CANNABIS FOR BRAIN INJURIES
Washington has urged the NFL to fund medical research on the effectiveness of using medical marijuana to treat brain injuries. Research suggests mild brain injuries incurred from playing professional sports can lead to dementia and depression. And chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) might also be in a retired player’s future. CTE is linked to serious mental health issues, including suicide.
As the NFL league ambassador for Athletes For CARE, Washington is also a member of the board of directors. Founded by former pro athletes, the organization advocates for research and promotes education for health issues that athletes face. Members look for opportunities to participate in studies that explore how cannabinoids can be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, including CTE and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
LEGAL IN THE STATE, LEGAL FOR PRO PLAYERS, TOO
The Super Bowl champ also wants the football league to stop punishing current players for using medical cannabis—especially if it’s legal in the NFL team’s home state. After playing professional football for 11 seasons, Marvin Washington said he experiences chronic pain from orthopedic injuries. The therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis change people’s lives.
“CBD is oil for the tin man,” Washington said.
Imagine if current players could use CBD for pain relief instead of opiates, which are often prescribed following an injury or surgery.
Washington’s misshapen fingers show the toll the sport has on players like him.
Read more about why The NFL Needs to Rethink Marijuana in this Huffington Post article written by Washington and fellow retired NFL players Brendon Ayanbadejo and Scott Fujitato.
By Rachelle Gordon
www.RachelleGordon.net
Rachelle Gordon is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer and educator in the cannabis space. She has dedicated herself to informing others about the powers of plant medicine after witnessing her father’s struggle with epilepsy (and subsequent stroke) in her childhood.
Rachelle’s posts are being provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Boveda of any of the products, services or opinions of Rachelle. Boveda bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of this post or links to the posts. Contact Rachelle Gordon for answers to questions regarding her content.
