It’s not everyday that you hear that a veteran NBA player has gone from a 20 point scorer to a…marijuana tycoon?
Well, that’s exactly what former Indiana Pacers star Al Harrington has done.
Speaking with Indy Star’s Gregg Doyel, Harrington describes how his grandmother was the inspiration behind his thriving marijuana business.
In 2011 Harrington’s grandmother, Viola, who is from Fayetteville, NC, visited him in Denver while he was a member of the Denver Nuggets.
His grandmother had been suffering from a number of ailments including diabetes and glaucoma. She suffered from constant pain and more importantly for her she couldn’t read her Bible everyday as she had been accustomed to.
With Colorado having legalized cannabis a decade prior, Harrington made a small suggestion to his grandmother, he asked her to try it. To which Viola said,
“I ain’t smoking no reefer!”
Harrington, now 39, had done extensive research on the positive effects of cannabis and understood that if she were willing to try it, it could help relieve some of the pain she was dealing with.
So the next day, he brought some cannabis with him and again asked her to try some, at first she relented, then she tried it, and then exclaimed,
“I’m healed!”
For Harrington, this was the start of an investment and life-changing foray into the cannabis business.
Harrington, started his company, Viola (named after his grandmother), with $5 million of his own money.
He allowed his cousin to handle the company while he was still in the NBA until he ultimately left the league in 2014.
His company has now turned into a $100 million business.
Harrington, employs 70 individuals across 4 different states, including in Oregon, where he first planted his own marijuana plants.
The 17-year NBA veteran now says that he if he wanted to he could sell his business for $1 billion if it were to hit the open market.
Harrington says,
“At the end of the day — and I want you to put this in there, because it’s the truth — I’m not doing it for the money.”
“Money will come and go, but I’m more focused on service and products and patients. If we take care of them, the money will be there.”
His business helps to serve those looking for a better way to manage pain without the dangerous drugs that everyday people and athletes have to use.
He says,
“Leagues say health and safety is first. If that’s the case, stop prescribing opioids and giving prescription pills and shooting these NFL players up to be able to go compete. They walk away from the game and their quality of life (expletive) sucks, and if cannabis can help them and give them quality of life, they should look into it.”
Harrington is doing all he can to change the perception of cannabis to the benefit of others.
‘Baby Al’ has found a second life after basketball and it could net him $1 billion.
Not bad for a high school kid out of New Jersey.
