Former NBA superstar Allen Iverson is rolling out his new marijuana strain in Philadelphia, in partnership with Al Harrington’s cannabis brand Viola.
The new strain is called 'Iverson ’01,' which references Iverson’s MVP season in 2001 when he led the Philadelphia Sixers to a franchise record 10–0 and then on to the NBA finals.
As part of the brand’s Keystone State rollout, Viola cannabis will be available exclusively at RISE medical marijuana dispensaries for the launch and then will appear at other state dispensaries.
Iverson joined forces with Al Harrington’s Viola Brands in 2021 to launch a line of cannabis products and merchandise under the Iverson Collection name, including ‘Iverson ‘96,’ another indica-dominant strain that takes its name from the year the 11-time NBA All-Star was drafted into the NBA by the Sixers. Iverson ‘01 came a year later, launching in spring 2022.
Harrington, who founded Viola in 2011, named the company in honor of his grandmother, who suffered from glaucoma, Harrington told the crowd at last September's Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago.
The company’s goal, Harrington said on various occasions is to “ensure Black and brown people are afforded the opportunity to be a part of a fast-growing industry that has historically left them disenfranchised.”
Come And Meet The NBA Stars
In celebration of Viola’s launch in Pennsylvania, Iverson and Harrington will appear at a meet-and-greet event at RISE’s new Philadelphia location at 3903 Aramingo Ave. in Port Richmond on Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees must be valid PA medical marijuana cardholders.
Owned by Green Thumb Industries GTBIF, RISE has 18 locations across Pennsylvania.
Join us at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, where, among other important issues, we'll talk about how cannabis and sports intersect. We're back in Chicago on September 27 and 28. All information is available on bzcannabis.com
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