Calvin Johnson's Cannabis Company To Partner With Harvard On CTE, Pain Studies

Two former Detroit Lions plan to work with Harvard University in the hopes of increasing the understanding of the role cannabis may play in treating the debilitating the brain damage that strikes many football players.

What Happened

Former players Calvin Johnson, better known as "Megatron," and Rob Sims, who co-own the cannabis company Primitive, announced Thursday at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference they’ll partner with Harvard's International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute on the possible use of cannabis to treat chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the brain damage that plagues many football players.

Sims and Johnson will also donate research money to the Harvard facility.

Rob Sims & @calvinjohnsonjr take the stage with @wxyzdetroit's @BradGalli to talk about their partnership with @harvardmed! An exciting announcement in the #cannabisindustry #live at #BZCannabis in #Detroit #Michigan pic.twitter.com/24C8Z99ZkD

— Benzinga (@Benzinga) August 15, 2019

Why It's Important

"We can be in position to develop a treatment for CTE," Sims told ESPN. "There's been suggestions that CBD … can help cognitive disease, and we think that potentially there could be a treatment."

Sims told The Detroit Free Press the pair believe nearly all football players have some form of brain damage from the sport.

Johnson said Harvard's prestige could help lessen the stigma around cannabis.

“When you all of a sudden add that we have a partnership with Harvard because we’re trying to find the best medicine, that changes a lot of minds,” Johnson said.

What's Next

The partnership will include clinical trials dealing with brain issues and also with the use of cannabis for pain management. Several former players have advocated for the NFL to allow players to use cannabis for pain, rather than the addictive opioids many are prescribed.

Sims said there no date’s been set for clinical trials to start, but the pair is hoping for early 2020.

The Free Press reported Primitive is also planning a grow facility in Michigan in the next few weeks, and also plans to eventually open medical marijuana dispensaries in the state.

Related Links:

Former Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson, Rob Sims Discuss Cannabis, Ending The Stigma And The NFL's Stance

Football And Weed: Former NFL Players Weigh In On Why Many Are Getting Involved With CBD Companies

Former Detroit Lions Rob Sims and Calvin Johnson share a laugh Thursday at the Benzinga
 Cannabis Capital Conference in Detroit. Photo by Dustin Blitchok.