Ricky Williams, arguably the most famous pot-smoker in NFL history, is about to become a partner in the world's first pot-friendly gym. In partnership with Jim McAlpine of 420 Games, Williams will open and be a spokesman for Power Plant Fitness in San Francisco, California.
The announcement was made in a press release on "The Weed Blog."
Despite a long history of persecution by way of public criticism, penalties and in some cases the pursuit of criminal charges, more athletes are refusing to keep their medical cannabis use a secret. People all over the world are collectively discovering the benefits of cannabis and progress is being made toward the end of prohibition. Harsh attitudes and penalties around marijuana use are changing with the times. Professional athletes at the top of their fitness game are joining in The 420 Games landslide movement to dispel familiar myths about the plant and to de-stigmatize cannabis use once and for all.
The release continued, in announcing Williams' role with the gym:
The 420 Games creator has recently launched an athletic line of cannabis products and in partnership with Ricky Williams, the duo will open the world's first cannabis gym in San Francisco, CA this November. Power Plant Fitness will be run by Williams and focus on integrative full body and mind training. What makes Power Plant Fitness unique? Members will be able to consume cannabis in the gym while working out. Power Plant also produces a line of "athletic edibles" made for pre-workout focus and post-workout recovery.
As the recreational use of cannabis is now legal in some states and on the ballot in others, including California, perceptions are changing quickly. Old stereotypes are being tossed out the window as the world realizes that they have long been misled about the "evils" of marijuana. It is very likely cannabis will become ingrained into American society like Budweiser, Apple Pie and baseball.
Williams, of course, was suspended from the NFL multiple times for failed drug tests as a result of his marijuana use. He recently told the International Business Times, "I was a really good football player, a really good person, my teammates loved me, my coaches loved me, but my career and life were ruined because of a drug test. It doesn't make sense. They have to take a more humane approach to this.
"For the most part, the NFL is a closed system; they don't have to keep up with the times. Because they are a business that depends on viewership, only when the viewers speak, the NFL will follow."
