By Denise Garcia
- Recreational marijuana to generate $11 billion in consumer spending in 2018
- Medicinal marijuana is legal in 30 states and Washington D.C.
Ice Cube’s Big 3, a pro-league for retired basketball players, is allowing its athletes to use cannabidiol (CBD) for pain management and recovery. The substance is a marijuana strain that gives therapeutic benefits without the “high.” Is Ice Cube onto something that other professional leagues need to tap into?
Why This Matters: The Big 3’s decision followed the World Anti-Doping Agency’s decision to remove Cannabidiol from its prohibited substances last week. Ice Cube stated in a recent interview with TMZ, the new regulations will apply pressure to the NBA, overall changing the marijuana-related mandates in the franchise.
As for now, pro-sports leagues in the U.S. do not allow players to use marijuana for pain management, instead, many bet on highly addictive opioids. Meanwhile, recreational marijuana is legal in nine states and Washington D.C., while medicinal is legal in 30 states along with Washington D.C.
Recreational marijuana is bringing in big bucks, regulators are advocating to remove cannabis as a schedule I drug, and more industries are approving its use. The market is projected to reach $11 billion in consumer spending by the end of this year, and expected to reach $23 billion by 2022, according to BDS analytics.
Situational Awareness: Science is also catching up: the FDA just approved Epidiolex, it’s first cannabis-derived drug, and an oral CBD solution treating seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy in patients two-years-old and older.
CBx Vibe: “Sativa” Jhene Aiko, Rae Sremmurd
