Even five years ago, the prospects of an NBA (or any professional team for that matter) arena partnering with cannabis companies to put on a wellness event would be unthinkable. The Footprint Center, which is the home court of the Phoenix Suns, just held its second in as many years.
On November 10, 2023, the Footprint Center in Phoenix played host to the second annual Cannabis Cactus NBA Skills & Thrills Experience, a unique event that brought together the worlds of professional basketball, cannabis advocacy, and community wellness.
"This is the second one in association with the Phoenix Suns," said Michael Cassini, owner and editor of Cannabis Cactus. "We have our sponsors out, both mainstream and some of our cannabis sponsors from here in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥... to bring our type of advertising into a mainstream venue."
The event was a produced by Cannabis Cactus, a leading cannabis industry publication in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
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The significance of a professional sports arena, like the home of the Phoenix Suns, collaborating with the cannabis industry wasn't lost on Cassini. He expressed gratitude for the Suns' support, emphasizing the event's role in breaking down stigma surrounding cannabis.
"It's a mind blower for us and we still walk the fine line," he said. "There's still some stigma surrounding it. But as long as we play by the rules, we've been welcomed back."
Former NBA champion Derek Fisher, known for his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was one of two former stars at the event coaching various youth drills and scrimmages on the Suns' new in-season tournament gym floor.
In an interview with the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Fisher expressed his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing his commitment to promoting wellness, particularly among local children in Phoenix and throughout ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.
He also acknowledged the NBA's evolving stance on cannabis, and how the Cannabis Cactus event was tied to a greater goal of destigmatizing the plant.
"The idea is to just continue to educate people and make people aware that there are health benefits to natural medicines, natural plants, and we're not pushing anything on anyone," Fisher said.
Former UA Wildcat basketball star and NBA legend Mike Bibby was also in attendance.
Bibby talked to the Star about his project with his brother, a new strain of weed they are developing called "Bibby-licious" and his thoughts on a potential of NBA teams one day partnering with a cannabis brand as an official sponsor.
"That's not a bad idea. I think if there's money, there's there's a way and there's a lot of money in the cannabis industry," he said.
During their playing the careers, consuming cannabis was prohibited and tested for, and players faced stiff fines and lengthy suspensions for positive tests.
How things have changed. Just this year, the league and the NBA Players Association signed a collective bargaining agreement that drops cannabis from its list of banned substances.
Bibby also shared his thoughts on the current state of UA's men's basketball program, expressing optimism about the team's potential and praising Coach Tommy Lloyd's approach of letting players showcase their strengths on the court.
Cassini highlighted the potential for expanding such events to other sports teams, indicating conversations with organizations like the Denver Broncos and the Raiders.
He said he sees these events as an opportunity to bring together diverse communities while showcasing the cannabis industry in a positive and classy light.
And he foresees a lot of future events involving professional sports.
"We're going to try to host this every season," he said. "And we try to do a golf tournament... we're kind of shaking up the cannabis industry, going into these nice types of venues. So that'll include golf courses, hockey, football. And as many athletes as we can bring in."
Eddie Celaya is a breaking news reporter and host of the "Here Weed Go!" podcast. He graduated from Pima Community College and the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and has been with the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ since May 2019.