The Portland Pickles, a minor league baseball team, will make history this summer by becoming the first sports team in the United States to legally sell cannabis-based products at live sporting events. The team announced on Tuesday an exclusive partnership with Cycling Frog, a company that produces THC-infused seltzers derived from hemp.
Beginning on June 18, fans attending games at Walker Stadium will be able to purchase the new drink, which contains 2 milligrams of THC and 4 milligrams of CBG per can. The seltzers will be available in two flavors—passionfruit and lemon. This marks a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between sports and cannabis products.
Ross Campbell, the Portland Pickles’ Vice President of Business Development, emphasized the team’s commitment to innovation. “The Portland Pickles have a responsibility in the sports industry to take leaps and set a precedent of innovative partnerships,” he said in a statement. “As we saw in 2019, becoming the first team to ever partner with a CBD company, and quickly teams all the way up to the Major League level across sports follow suit.”
This move is not without its legal considerations. Since the drinks contain hemp-derived THC, they are regulated under state law, and fans must be at least 21 years old to purchase the product. The Pickles said they have worked closely with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and Portland Parks and Recreation, which owns Walker Stadium, to ensure compliance with all regulations.
The Portland Pickles’ partnership with Cycling Frog continues the team’s trend of pioneering collaborations in the world of alternative wellness products. Fans can now enjoy a unique refreshment that blends the excitement of baseball with the latest in cannabis-based beverages.
As more teams consider similar partnerships, the Pickles are once again setting a standard that could ripple across the sports industry.
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