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Marketing and Sponsorship

Gronkowski Signs CBD Deal, Implores Leagues To Change Policies

Gronkowski wants professional athletes to be able to use CBD while recovering from injuriesCBDMEDIC

Former NFLer Rob Gronkowski is the "latest in a long line of celebrities to promote CBD," and his endorsement "could signal a key moment in the drug’s evolving acceptance among sports leagues and consumers," according to Gans & Martin of the BOSTON GLOBE. Gronkowski yesterday unveiled his partnership with Toronto-based Abacus Health Products, the makers of the CBDMEDIC line of topical creams, lotions, and ointments. Dr. Jordan Tishler, who runs a cannabis-focused medical practice in Massachusetts, said that those products "have not been proven to relieve pain." But Gronkowski said the products have been "life-changing” for him following his recent retirement. He also "implored sports leagues to change their cannabis policies to allow athletes to use CBD while recovering from injuries" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/28). NBC’s Joe Fryer notes Gronkowski “joins a growing league of retired sports stars investing in companies selling cannabis products.” Though most pro leagues "ban the use of pot and CBD, the NFL says it’s reconsidering them as pain management therapies.” NBC’s Carson Daly noted players' usage of CBD on the PGA Tour “is up a lot, but Tour officials are a little cautious about that as everybody tries to figure out the wild, wild west of CBD” (“Today,” NBC, 8/28).

GRONK'S NEXT CHAPTER: In Boston, Tom Curran notes Gronkowski has "replaced the game of football with the game of marketing." Curran: "I don’t blame him a bit. ... Gronk Inc. exists because of the talent and sweat equity he put in as a football player." More Curran: "He’s supposed to close up shop and take all the Gronk off the shelves just because he’s not playing in the NFL anymore? Yeah, no. Now, it’s really time to sell what he built without having to clear it with a coach, an owner or a league office" (NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 8/27). Gronkowski acknowledged he is “getting into a lot of business opportunities” in retirement. Gronkowski: “My family’s always been in business, so it’s my turn to step up and get in the business. I want to get into things that revolve around my life, that have helped me" ("GMA," ABC, 8/28).

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