enjoy “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 78 grow. heal. learn. enjoy. myhydrolife.com
“I think the Games have helped them come out of the canna-closet in a way that works for them.” myhydrolife.com grow. heal. learn. enjoy. 79