Former NBA player Al Harrington wants to get in on the marijuana industry. And it all started, surprisingly, with his grandma.
“She suffered from glaucoma and diabetes...I was reading about all the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and I said that she should try it,” Harrington told Cheddar.
Initially his grandmother resisted, but after her very first try she was already feeling a lot better. “She inspired me to invest in a company to get into the cannabis space.”
Later this year, Harrington will release his own line of marijuana products aimed at pain relief for athletes, one he created by drawing on his own experiences. He had 14 surgeries throughout his career and told Cheddar that he suffered from chronic pain.
In the next three to five years, the NBA may even remove marijuana from its list of banned substances for players, starting with CBD products, says Harrington.
“Players should have access to...an alternative way of medicating themselves.”
“I’m a firm believer that if I had known this information that I know now, I probably could have played another three years in the NBA,” says Harrington.
Harrington spent 16 years in the league, most recently with the Washington Wizards, before retiring from the Sydney Kings in 2015.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/how-former-nba-star-al-harrington-is-capitalizing-on-cannabis).
There's a new mixed-martial arts league on the block. The Professional Fighters League ー or PFL ー is wrapping up its inaugural season with a championship match on New Year's Eve. According to Peter Murrary, the CEO of the league, the match's purse, $1 million, is a major draw for athletes ー money talks, and can mark achievement.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Friday, Dec. 28, 2018.
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These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said West Virginia is the company's next, best opportunity for replicating the monster success it's seen in New Jersey as it rolls out a mobile sportsbook in the Mountain State. "West Virginia is an early mover and I think they're being smart and thoughtful about how they actually legislated and regulated," Robins told Cheddar Friday.
After the gymnastics world was rocked by a major sex abuse scandal, the sport's most decorated Olympic athlete says education for child athletes can protect them from similar abuse in the future. The Magnificent Seven's Shannon Miller told Cheddar that fear of abuse should never prevent young athletes from pursuing their sport.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018.
Riot's COO is suspended, Fortnite vaults the Infinity Blade, and Overwatch League announces its plans for Season 2. Featuring beastcoast CEO Grant Zinn, University of Califonia and Irvine Director of Esports Mark Deppe. Plus - EndGameTV COO Aiden McCaig previews Smash Ultimate's first major, Don't Park on the Grass 2018.
China is considering banning battle royale games, the legendary Virtus.Pro roster disbands, and the Winter Royale is ruined by the Infinity Blade.Featuring interviews with Ghost Gaming's Kayuun, DC Overwatch Assistant GM Kate Mitchell, StackUp Director of Veteran Services Dave Crouse, and a Capcom Cup preview with Amanda Stevens.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018.
