Al Harrington, former NBA forward who played 16 seasons in the league, is bringing his cannabis business back to his roots with the opening of a new dispensary in his home state of New Jersey. The native of Orange, NJ, who had no personal experience with cannabis during his youth, has become a leading advocate and entrepreneur in the cannabis industry. His latest venture represents both a personal and professional milestone as New Jersey’s cannabis market continues to grow since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2021.
Harrington’s Journey to Cannabis
Despite having no history with cannabis growing up, Harrington’s perspective changed during the final years of his NBA career. After undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear, he developed an infection that extended his recovery and left him reliant on prescription painkillers. The side effects of traditional pain management drugs led him to explore cannabis as an alternative. He quickly discovered that cannabis not only relieved his pain but also allowed him to avoid the negative physical and mental side effects that often accompany opioids and other prescription medications.
This personal experience was transformative for Harrington and led him to dive headfirst into the cannabis industry. In 2011, he founded Viola Brands, a company focused on providing premium cannabis products and creating economic opportunities for people of colour in the cannabis space. Viola is named after Harrington’s grandmother, who also experienced the therapeutic benefits of cannabis when using it to treat her glaucoma and diabetes.
The Cannabis Industry in Numbers
Harrington’s move into cannabis came at a time of significant growth for the industry. The global legal cannabis market was valued at approximately $22.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.7% from 2021 to 2028, reaching over $97 billion by 2028, according to Grand View Research. In the U.S., where cannabis is legal for either medicinal or recreational use in over half the states, the market is expected to hit $35 billion in 2025, up from $13.6 billion in 2019, according to New Frontier Data.
New Jersey’s cannabis market is also experiencing significant growth. After legalizing recreational cannabis in 2021, the state opened its first adult-use dispensaries in April 2022. New Jersey is projected to become one of the largest cannabis markets in the U.S., with experts estimating it could generate as much as $2 billion in annual sales by 2025.
Harrington’s dispensary is opening in this rapidly expanding environment, positioning itself to capitalize on the state’s promising growth trajectory.
Building a Cannabis Empire: Viola’s Success
Harrington’s Viola Brands has quickly become one of the most successful Black-owned cannabis companies in the U.S. The company operates across several states, including California, Colorado, Michigan, and Oregon. Viola focuses not only on providing high-quality products but also on increasing minority representation and ownership in the cannabis industry, which has been historically dominated by non-minority owners despite disproportionately high incarceration rates for cannabis-related offenses among Black and Latino communities.
In 2021, Viola raised $16 million in a Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to over $30 million. The brand is valued at more than $100 million, and Harrington has plans to continue expanding both domestically and internationally. The company also launched the Viola Cares initiative, which focuses on social equity and providing opportunities for minorities through job creation, education, and ownership opportunities within the cannabis industry.
A Focus on Social Equity
Harrington has been outspoken about the need for diversity in the cannabis industry. Despite legalization efforts, Black entrepreneurs face significant barriers to entering the space. A 2021 Leafly report found that fewer than 2% of U.S. cannabis businesses are owned by Black entrepreneurs, a stark contrast to the fact that Black individuals were nearly four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis-related offenses than white individuals, according to data from the ACLU.
With his New Jersey dispensary, Harrington is not only entering one of the country’s hottest cannabis markets, but he’s also continuing his mission to create pathways for others from underrepresented communities to participate in the industry. He has emphasized the importance of social equity, noting that cannabis legalization should go hand-in-hand with initiatives to help communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs.
New Jersey’s Promising Market
New Jersey’s cannabis market is ripe for growth, with more dispensaries expected to open in the coming years as the state continues to roll out its adult-use program. The state, home to nearly 9 million residents, is in a prime position to serve a large customer base, with an additional potential influx of customers from neighboring states like New York and Pennsylvania, which are still in the process of fully developing their own legal cannabis markets.
Harrington’s entry into this market is a strategic move. With the New Jersey cannabis industry projected to create 19,000 jobs by 2025 and generate over $1 billion in tax revenue for the state, Harrington’s new dispensary has the potential to become a major player in the local economy.
The Future of Cannabis for Athletes
As a former professional athlete, Harrington is also advocating for the therapeutic use of cannabis among athletes. Many sports leagues, including the NBA, have long banned cannabis use, but the conversation around its benefits is evolving. In recent years, the NBA has relaxed its stance on cannabis, opting not to randomly test players for marijuana during the 2020-2021 season, a policy that has continued as the league and its players’ union engage in discussions about long-term policy changes.
Harrington has been a vocal advocate for the health benefits of cannabis, particularly as an alternative to the opioid painkillers often prescribed to athletes. He’s shared his own experience using cannabis to manage pain after injuries, and he believes the plant can play a key role in improving the health and well-being of athletes during and after their playing careers.
Conclusion
Al Harrington’s foray into the cannabis industry is more than just a business venture—it’s a mission to reshape the industry from within. With his new dispensary in New Jersey, Harrington is taking another step toward building a cannabis empire rooted in social equity, minority empowerment, and community impact. As New Jersey’s cannabis market continues to expand, Harrington’s home-state operation is poised to make waves, not just as a business but as a symbol of change in the cannabis world.
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