Chris Webber is evolving from an NBA Hall of Famer to a cannabis entrepreneur with the launch of his new luxury cannabis brand, Players Only. The brand will offer cannabis strains, vapes, pre-rolls, oil cartridges, performance and sports recovery products, footwear and apparel.

“Players Only is more than a cannabis brand – it’s a lifestyle brand,” Webber said in a press release. “We truly have a unique opportunity to change the narrative around cannabis, empower rising entrepreneurs and set a new standard in this growing industry. We’re thrilled to launch our versatile offerings and begin the process of creating meaningful economic change in communities across Michigan.”

The new brand is the result of a deal that saw cannabis operator TerrAscend acquired Gage Growth Corp. in March which secured their exclusive rights to sell Players Only products in Michigan.

Move Follows Chris Webber’s Cannabis Facility Opening

In October 2021, Webber opened a 180,000 square foot cannabis facility called the Webber Wellness Compound for the production of Players Only products. The Detroit facility has a dispensary, cultivation facility, and a lounge for private consumption of the products.

Webber launched Players Only with his business partner, Lavetta Willis. He also brought along some celebrity friends for collaborations, including rappers Raekwon, Quavo, and Royce da 5’9”.

The Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon will launch “Compliments to the Chef,” Quavo will market his BIRKINZ product and Royce da 5’9” will introduce his “Heaven” brand in a unique way with an NFT.

Other Former NBA Players Join Chris Webber

Former NBA players Jason Williams and Matt Barnes are also joining Webber. Williams, who played alongside Webber on the Sacramento Kings, will offer a strain called “White Chocolate.” Barnes will serve as Chief Collaborations Officer for Players Only.

He also will debut a product called “The Smoke” with his co-star of the award-winning TV series “All the Smoke,” Stephen Jackson.

“We have been working with legacy cultivators and operators seeking to establish their place in the regulated market for quite some time,” co-founder and President of Players Only, Willis, said in the press release. “The opportunity to incorporate legacy strains and expertise into the Players Only platform and menu furthers our goal of uplifting black entrepreneurs who have been building brands and intellectual properties for decades.”

Players Only plans to use strategic partnerships to offer minority business owners opportunities for distribution and marketing. The brand created partnerships with legacy cannabis growers to give the Players Only customers access to a consistent experience from top of the line manufacturers.

Customers can already enjoy products like Time Out, G.O.A.T.’s Milk, C4, Whipped Cherries and Non-Laters. Strains like Ray Jackson’s Black Sox and Blueberry Hotcakes will launch soon.

According to the company’s website, Players Only products will be available for purchase at Gage and Cookie dispensaries across Michigan, which is Webber’s home state.

The company is devoted to community involvement, focusing on mentorship, diversity, equity and inclusion and social impact and community education. Their mission is to involve all demographics in the cannabis industry, with a focus on the BIPOC community.