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“ I ’ d also like to bring it to conservative states like Tennessee and Texas , states that are less progressive , where we can really help to move the needle toward positive change .”
“ The Santa Monica Police and the narcotics task force of Los Angeles were both great to work with ,” says McAlpine . “ They were all good people who treated us equally to anyone else . I was very pleased to find how cool and accepting they were , both before and after the event , and have nothing but good things to say .”
Athletes and Patients Defending the Plant
Former NFL player Kyle Turley ( New Orleans Saints , St . Louis Rams , Kansas City Chiefs ) took to the stage after the race to share his own stories of healing . Turley was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer ’ s at 34 , with a black spot on his brain from 10 years of constant concussions playing professional football . After being consumed with prescription pain meds and outbursts to his family , Turley switched from pharma to cannabis . His success in the transition inspired him to create his own strain , Saint Jack , a hybrid from his favorite strain , Jack Herer , named after an equally inspirational activist . After founding Gridiron Foundation , in support of fellow athletes , Turley also launched CBD oil company Neuro Armor , demonstrating the plant ’ s neuroprotectant properties ( as detailed in US Patent No . 6630507 on CBD , the non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis ). Another former NFL all-star , Reggie Williams ( Jacksonville Jaguars , Seattle Seahawks ), shared his story of switching from painkillers to cannabis after myriad surgeries turned his leg into an unrecognizable mass of scars , left it several inches shorter , and rendered him disabled for life . He , too , is now on the cannabis wellness wagon as pitchman for Pure Ratios , a CBD oil company that makes chewable tablets and oils . Lastly , Eben Britton ( Jacksonville Jaguars , Chicago Bears ) took the stage to address the crowd , sharing that he had never had a good experience with prescription pain killers — and now uses cannabis for both pain and emotional healing . Eben has openly admitted to playing in the NFL while high , something Turley confirmed takes place in the locker room regularly before games , with Eben stating that some of his best games were played while medicated .
Former NFL player Kyle Turley ( right ) and MC " Medicinal Mike " ( left ) help pump up the crowd .
“ It ’ s been amazing to have professional athletes now calling me to get on board for the Games ,” says McAlpine . “ I ’ ve had Hall of Fame athletes in multiple sports asking how they can be part of this mission to educate on cannabis and sports .”
Changing Image of Cannabis
“ I love having the 420 Games in LA ,” says McAlpine . “ Particularly so that my kids can see and perceive cannabis as something very positive for society , and not a street drug that stoners use . My kids know , just like with alcohol or coffee , that cannabis is not for kids , only for adults , unless of course the child has doctor ’ s approval for a certain illness , like epilepsy or cancer . I am proud to be teaching them from a positive perspective , and not with scare tactics , like the ‘ Just Say No ’ campaign from the 1980s .” Aside from medicated , healthy participants attending the Games , McAlpine has been pleased to see so many highprofile athletes come out to support cannabis and sports . “ There were so many athletes hiding their cannabis use ,” says McAlpine . “ I think the Games have helped them come out of the canna-closet in a way that works for them . We get emails from people around the country thanking us and asking us to come to their state . It ’ s been extremely rewarding .”
Power Plant Fitness
There is another cornerstone to McAlpine ’ s plan . Of McAlpine ’ s many projects , his most ambitious project to date is a goal of opening the first cannabis-friendly gym in Los Angeles .
Photo by Sharon Letts
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