Former NBAer Cliff Robinson Debuts ‘Uncle Cliffy’ Pre-Rolls in Portland
Former NBA All-Star and Portland Trailblazers superstar Clifford Robinson is launching his line of Uncle Cliffy cannabis products tomorrow, June 8, at Oregon’s Finest in Portland. The 18 year NBA veteran is scheduled to make an appearance at the dispensary at 4:20 p.m.
Debuting today will be Uncle Cliffy’s pre-rolled joints, filled with either GG (f.k.a Gorilla Glue) 4, an indica, or J1, a sativa. The cannabis was produced by Portland-based Pistil Point Farms.
Courtesy of Uncle Cliffy.
Asked why an 18 year NBA veteran would want to jump into the cannabis industry, Robinson told Leafly that he’s long been a passionate advocate, and being an entrepreneur offers the opportunity to do things his own way.
“I’ve been a fan of the cannabis plant for a long time now, so I decided to jump into the cannabis space because I know what cannabis products work, and believe that social entrepreneurship goes hand in hand with my cannabis reform advocacy,” Robinson told Leafly.
“My company, Uncle Cliffy, plans on leading by example and being a good steward of the cannabis plant,” he added. “I personally help develop all of my products so I know that we are only putting out the best products possible.”
Robinson’s cannabis involvement isn’t just commercial—since he left the league, he’s been one of the most outspoken advocates of legalization, having submitted written testimony in support of cannabis reform in Oregon, and and publicly endorsed a legalization proposal in Connecticut, where he played college ball at UConn.
Prohibition doesn’t work, Robinson said, and its failures have taken a toll on him and his family. He feels it’s time for society and sports leagues to take a more sensible approach.
“I have been the target of cannabis prohibition and stigma for a very long time,” he told Leafly. “It hasn’t just affected me, it has also affected my family and friends. I was suspended by the NBA for cannabis three times, but I have also been targeted off the court for cannabis, too.”
In society more broadly, he continued, “I have witnessed cannabis prohibition’s negative impact firsthand, especially on minority communities, and it’s unacceptable.”
While Oregon’s put an end to prohibition, Robinson said, he’s committed to advocating for wider social acceptance—as well as legalization across the country.
“[It] is very important to me and my team, and we intend on pushing for reform in society as well as in professional sports to help free the plant,” he said. “Cannabis prohibition has clearly failed, both inside and outside of sports stadiums and arenas, and it is time that states and leagues took a more sensible approach.”
Portlanders looking to light up a Uncle Cliffy pre-roll before Game 4 of the NBA Finals—Friday at 9 p.m. between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers—can head to Oregon’s Finest on MLK Boulevard and travel back to the Trailblazers’ glory days courtesy of Cliff Robinson.
Event Information:
Location: Oregon’s Finest, 736 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
Date: June 8, 2017
Time: 4:20 p.m. Pacific
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Gage Peake is a former staff writer for Leafly, where he specialized in data journalism, sports, and breaking news coverage. He's a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
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