Foley & Lardner LLP recently represented Revolutionary Clinics (RevClinics) — a leading Massachusetts medical cannabis company, with dispensaries in the greater Boston area — in its deal with newly inducted Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz (Big Papi). Ortiz, the former Red Sox designated hitter and first baseman, partnered with RevClinics to launch a new line of curated cannabis products produced by RevBrands called “Papi Cannabis.”
Featuring its medicinal and stress-reducing benefits, the first “Papi Cannabis” product, “Sweet Sluggers,” hit the market this week and is described as a pre-rolled blunt in a non-tobacco blunt wrapper made with tea leaves and hemp. A wider range of branded cannabis products will be available in the near future.
The Foley team representing RevClinics included Andrew Lee and Gregory Marino, both members of Foley’s Sports & Entertainment Group.
Lee stated, “The value of a big-name athlete endorsing deals in general, and specifically this type of deal, is reflective of the cannabis industry’s movement into the mainstream from a marketing perspective. In relation to professional sports, this deal is noteworthy and groundbreaking. Historically, pro athletes who believe in the beneficial and healing properties of cannabis have run up against league rules banning its use. The involvement of someone of Ortiz’ stature with a leader in the industry like RevClinics will bring more attention to the issue as league restrictions have loosened and sentiments change.”
