Professional former basketball player Allen Iverson is getting his own cannabis strain this fall.
Iverson is partnering with Viola Brands in a multi-year partnership. The cannabis company was founded by former NBA player Al Harrington in 2011.
As part of the deal, the company will sell marijuana strain dubbed The Iverson Collection that debuts this fall.
Iverson and Harrington never played on the same team during their respective NBA careers, but Iverson said that he was sold on the partnership after visiting Harrington’s grow facility in Detroit earlier this year.
“I’ve had a lot of people approach me with business opportunities, but this one with Al was different,” Iverson said. “After seeing how devoted [Al] is to this business, and him educating me on how beneficial the plant is, it just felt right. I’m excited to be a part of it. Together, we’re going to change the game.”
He will assist with the company’s business initiatives, such as producing exclusive merchandise in addition to cannabis and non-cannabis products. Iverson will also join Harrington and Viola in their ongoing efforts to educate the NBA and others on the benefits of the plant.
The Iverson Collection, a series of cannabis strains, will be rolled out across markets in which Viola operates. The strain will debut in California this October.
Viola currently operates and produces a variety of cannabis products in California, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon and Washington.
“In the same way Allen impacted the culture, we’re going to continue to impact the cannabis industry,” Harrington said. “We’re going to keep pushing boundaries. I’m honored to have Allen on board. We want to continue to inspire others and encourage people of color to participate in the cannabis space.”
