Carmelo Anthony launches a cannabis brand

Carmelo Anthony has launched a cannabis brand that can donate a portion of its proceeds to a nonprofit that wishes to offer back to the identical community harmed by the federal government’s war on drugs that has jailed people selling cannabis.

Former player of the National Basketball Association fired StayMe7o (pronounced Stay Melo) Cannabis April 20, a day celebrating the usage of marijuana. The brand’s name is “Stay Melo” and is a reference to his nickname Melo and the number seven he wore while playing within the NBA for the New York Knicks, Oklahoma Thunder and Houston Rockets.

StayMe7o hemp debuted under the umbrella of a recent cannabis agency called Grand National. The company is a collaboration between Lowd Cannabis CEO and founder Jesce Horton and Brandon Drew Chief Creative Officer Jordan Pierce. The agency will concentrate on branding, expansion, strategy and marketing activities within the cannabis space.

“I have always been interested in the benefits and science and education of cannabis,” Melo stated. “I’ve been studying it for years, paying attention to the industry, seeing where it’s going, the trajectory, getting feedback. Considering all the research, why not do it? Talk about the benefits of cannabis, what to consume and how to consume it.”

Melo also recognized the importance of representing Black entrepreneurs within the space and partnered with NuProject, founded by Jeanette Ward. Its website describes the corporate as a corporation that works to “build generational wealth through the legal cannabis industry for communities most harmed by the criminalization of cannabis – Black, Indigenous and Latinx/o/x communities.”

“This is a space with a long history where Black entrepreneurs have been punished and prosecuted and arrested and locked up for cannabis,” Melo said. “Now, in order for it to be legal, it is right to reopen this door to those who want to participate in this game who are already participating in it. Instead of being one thing, how can we unite and work together to achieve a common goal? Everyone here has marijuana. What sets you apart?”

There are two black-owned locations in Oregon where you should buy StayMe7o marijuana: Green Muse AND Wonders of natureeach in Portland.