By Adam Yoshikawa
Staff Writer
Four-time Super Bowl champion and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana is moving from the turf to the cannabis game.
According to San Jose’s local cannabis company, Caliva, the company just received a $75 million investment from Montana and his partners.
“As an investor and supporter, it is my opinion that Caliva’s strong management team will successfully develop and bring to market quality health and wellness products that can provide relief to many people and make a serious impact on opioid use or addiction,” Montana told Esquire reporters.
Montana’s multi-million-dollar investment has raised the question of whether or not student athletes should be allowed to consume cannabis.
According to NCAA drug policies, marijuana use is banned by the NCAA and can result in suspension.
Student athletes are bound by rules and regulations made by the NCAA and its website lists cannabis as a street drug. The NCAA strictly prohibits the use of the substance.
Anthropology freshman Nina Garcia is hesitant when it comes to athletes using cannabis, but said it’s alright as long as it doesn’t dramatically affect their performance.
San Jose State football player Trevor Robbins believes cannabis should not be used before games. He also said cannabis has pros such as Cannabidiol, or CBD, which does not result in any “head high” effect.
Although Robbins does not use cannabis, he said it has beneficial uses for pain.
The NCAA classifies cannabis as a “street drug.” The only other “street drugs” listed on NCAA’s website are heroin and synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice or K2.
Kinesiology junior Joselin Moreira thinks usage of cannabis by student athletes should be acceptable.
“Everyone does it,” Moreira said. “It’s fine whether recreational or medicinal.”
SJSU club volleyball player Hallie Lamberton is a pre-nursing major and finds the topic controversial. She said the effects of cannabis still need more research.
“Do what you want to do as long as it doesn’t affect your performance,” she said.
While student athletes are bound by regulation, coaches of professional athletes are taking a green path for recovery.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr underwent back surgery in 2016, and admitted in a podcast interview he used cannabis twice while searching for alternative medicines.
During a 2016 interview with ESPN, Kerr said, “I tried it and it didn’t help at all. But it was worth it, because I’m searching for answers on pain. But I’ve tried painkillers and drugs of other kinds, as well, and those have been worse. It’s tricky.”
There is no denying that there is medicinal use in cannabis, but the results can be a hit or miss.
While there are students who believe in free choice and the usage of cannabis, there are some who do not see the benefits for student athletes.
Undeclared freshman Austin Nguyen does not condone the use of cannabis.
“You are you, but don’t use it because we’re still developing at this age,” Nguyen said.
Caliva is a growing San Jose based cannabis company whose mission is to “invigorate and improve the lives of people through innovative, fun, and dependable products that people can trust to deliver the natural benefits of cannabis.”
Whether or not Joe Montana uses cannabis has still not yet been answered. But what is known is that Joe Montana is definitely invested into the company and believes in the benefits of marijuana.
