by Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson believes the team is in good hands with the head coach … [+]
It’s a pretty exciting time if you’re Calvin Johnson.
The Hall of Fame wide receiver and Detroit Lions great continues to grow his cannabis-based business, Primitiv, in Michigan. The research company focuses on the positive development of the cannabis industry while focusing on changing stigmas and educating people about the benefits of the plant.
The 37-year-old man explained the rationale behind the development of Primitiv.
“A big part of why we want to dive into cannabis and really understand the healing powers of this plant is because it has been considered illegal for a long time,” Johnson said. “I’m from the south, being from the bible belt, anyone who wore it was demonized. Getting into this industry was something totally different. My parents didn’t like it very much at first, but through education and conversation, I am able to show them the true healing powers of the plant.”
Not only did Johnson open Primitiv’s flagship dispensary in Niles, Michigan a year ago, Primitiv continues to introduce new products that help cannabis users enjoy the positive effects of the plant faster.
As Johnson teased on social media, Primitiv will launch a line of products nationwide called “Primitiv Performance” in early 2023. The product is created to enter the bloodstream faster than your typical cannabis product.
“Think about the time it takes for these things to work, like topics, it takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to an hour for those things to really kick in,” Johnson explains. “The difference is that these nanoparticles bypass the intestinal process. They enter the bloodstream faster than the way people currently consume them.”
As cannabis continues to become more widely accepted not only in culture, but also in the world of professional sports, the great Lion believes it is only a matter of time before the plant is fully accepted as a form of healing for players.
“More players from all industries have become advocates,” Johnson said. Not just any player, but significant players who have made an impact in their leagues who are supporting and advocating for cannabis. And maybe that wasn’t the case years ago because it was still taboo.”
Johnson, who retired after the end of the 2015 season, went on to explain why the perception of cannabis is much different than it was a few years earlier when he was playing.
“You waste time and get into the testing program just talking too much about cannabis,” Johnson said. “So it’s night and day where we are today and it’s hard to ignore the movement that people are trying to do what’s best for their bodies when it comes to pain relievers and trying to alleviate inflammation, which is a key source of pain. You have to stay away from opioids. You have to find another alternative method.”
Not only does Johnson continue to make waves in his post-game career with his cannabis business, but it just so happens that his old team, the Lions, are in the thick of playoff contention going into the final weeks of the season. .
Although Johnson hasn’t been an active Lions player since the 2015 season, he still follows the team closely. The former six-time Pro Bowler believes Detroit is a team on the rise. The Lions are currently in the middle of the playoff mix at 7-7, having won six of their last seven games.
Johnson says that if Detroit can make the playoffs and win a game (they haven’t won a postseason game since 1991), that would change the psyche of fans.
“I think that would change the psyche,” Johnson said. “If they are able to start a comeback like that. They have a great young quarterback (Jared Goff), they have a great core group of players on that team. The sky is the limit if they can make the playoffs this year.”
The man known as “Megatron” played nine years in Detroit from 2007 to 2015. Johnson and quarterback Matthew Stafford formed one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos in the league, but it resulted in only two appearances in the games. playoffs during his tenure with the Lions.
Johnson, who still resides and runs his business in Michigan, says fans are a bit cynical given recent history.
“Everyone is excited in Michigan,” Johnson said. “But everyone in Michigan knows that (usually) there has been a huge disappointment. Right now, there is hope. But people are very cynical right now.”
Despite that, Johnson believes the Lions are in good hands. In fact, he believes that Goff has proven that he is the franchise quarterback.
“He should be the guy,” Johnson said of Goff. “I look at his resume. He led Los Angeles to a Super Bowl. He’s a good quarterback to lead a team to a Super Bowl. He has that experience under his belt. Things are starting to look up for him here and now. I have no doubt that he can take the team to where he wants to go.”
In addition, he also believes that head coach Dan Campbell, his former teammate during his first two seasons in the league, has the team heading in the right direction.
“Every year, it’s been a step up. If he keeps getting better year after year, he’s going to be here for a while,” Johnson said of Campbell.
With a franchise quarterback and head coach on the team, it looks like the Lions could finally be a threat in the NFC.
