Media + Entertainment

Round 2: Mike Tyson Gets Back in the Cannabis Game

By Aron Vaughan

Mike Tyson is a man of many talents, but one particular set of skills is heralded above all others by his fans — the ability to knock highly trained heavyweight fighters to the ground. With a record of 50 wins (44 by knockout) and only six losses in his career, it’s no wonder many boxing pundits consider him one of the greatest of all time. In his prime, it’s hard to argue anyone could have taken down “the baddest man on the planet.”

But such singular focus on organized violence can wear on the psyche. According to Tyson, if the beast within him comes out “hell comes with it.” The former heavyweight champion has been candid about his struggle with his temper, stating in a recent interview with Cannabis & Tech Today that his family and anyone around him could be caught up in his rage.

“You can ask my wife and kids five years ago how I was, and you can ask them now,” Tyson said. “They didn’t like me five years ago. My family did not like me. You know what that feeling’s like, your kids not liking you saying ‘Hello,’ and ‘Good morning,’ in the morning?”

When he started to utilize cannabis as a medicine, Tyson’s countenance changed, and he became more centered and mindful. The plant also helped him stop using other potentially harmful chemicals.

“By me using cannabis to stop the hardcore stuff, I have a relationship with my children and family now,” Tyson said. “My kids used to see me and leave the house. When I came home, my wife and kids left the house, even the cleaning people.”

According to Tyson, the plant can bring people with even the most hardened hearts to a more peaceful state of mind.

“Marijuana’s only going to make you love somebody. You could be in the room with a couple of gang members who don’t know each other. If you give them some liquor and cocaine, they’re going to kill each other. You give them some cannabis, they’re going to start taking selfies and shit.”

The introduction of entheogens — natural drugs with spiritual benefits — into Tyson’s life also contributed to his change in lifestyle.

“I’ve never felt as healthy in my life, I’ve never felt as clear in my life,” Tyson said during a 2021 interview with Forbes. “I tried 5-MeO-DMT, the God molecule, and my whole life changed. I lost 100 pounds. I started fighting people again, at 55. Everything started to change from a business perspective, from a health perspective, and from an ideology perspective as far as the clearness of my thinking. I didn’t know I could feel this good at 55.”

Medicinal psychedelics even helped him face his mortality from a new perspective.

“It allows you to become comfortable with death,” he said in 2019 on The Joe Rogan Experience.

A Hero’s Journey

The appreciation for cannabis and entheogens Tyson has, and the positive effect they have had on his life has led to a new chapter for him. In 2018, Tyson founded his first cannabis company, Tyson Ranch, which, as the name suggests, operated out of his 40-acre cannabis ranch in California. The ranch failed in 2021, but not one to bow down to the specter of failure, Tyson has built on his experience in the industry with a successful new line of products.

The birth of Tyson 2.0 in 2021 has been a marked success, shown by the partnerships and distribution the company has brought to bear. Tyson’s climb to the top of the cannabis industry resembles that of a hero’s journey, as Tyson makes allies of former rivals and brings celebrities of similar iconic status into the fray.

One of Tyson’s best-selling products is a THC edible shaped like an ear with the top corner

Tyson teamed up with wresting Hall of Famer Ric Flair in March, adding Flair themed concentrates, flowers, and consumables to the Tyson 2.0 brand.

missing — a clear nod to the time when Tyson, in one of the most gruesome acts seen in the world of professional sports, bit off part of opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear in the third round of their bout.

Decades after the fight, with tensions long dissipated by time and the clarity that accompanies it, Tyson approached Holyfield about the concept of creating an edible in homage to the infamous incident on the podcast Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson.

“You might be in business because we’re going to make some holy ears. Some edibles [of the ear] that got a bite taken out of ’em,” Tyson said.

Holyfield responded by stating, “Well, I could do that.”

Shortly after the addition of Mike Bites, legendary wrestler Ric Flair joined the Tyson 2.0 team, signing over his iconic brand and trademark catchphrases. Soon, the team was “jetflying” and “limousine riding” their way to prominence in the space. The Tyson 2.0 brand is now available across 14 states including Colorado, California, Nevada, Massachusetts, Delaware, Michigan, Illinois, Washington D.C., Maryland, Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Oregon, with more states to be added throughout the rest of the year.

Flagship strains Toad and Sonoran Toad harken back to Tyson’s roots as a cannabis and psychedelic enthusiast and advocate. The Sonoran Toad is a species that secretes 5-MEO DMT from its glands. The venom is then dried and smoked.

Since his experience with 5-MEO DMT was so profound and life-changing, it is no surprise he named one of the brand’s strains after the toad which naturally produces the chemical. It seems as though Tyson has come full circle after many years of searching.

Like Alexander the Great, once he conquered the known world he slipped into a comfort that at times turned to decadence and indulgence. But like Alexander, he still sought the battle. However, Tyson may ultimately be a better man than Alexander, as he learned to navigate the path between warrior and self-actualized human being; a path that requires a great amount of self-analysis and reflection. Cannabis is one of the tools he used to achieve a renewed and more complete sense of self, which is why his brand continues to thrive. Authenticity is the hallmark of a great brand, and it is a quality that Tyson exudes. ❖

A Return to Tradition

Slightly Stoopid’s Miles Doughty Says He’s Ready to Hit the Road After Two Years of Delays

By Patricia Miller

Imagine standing in a crowded amphitheater. The first few notes of your favorite song ring out from oversized speakers. A wave of energy courses through you as thousands of people start moving in rhythm. The shared connection is unmistakable. There is no feeling in the world quite like enjoying a live concert on a summer night.

The pandemic stripped us of that unique and awesome experience. Now, for the first time in two years, many bands are returning to the road for live shows. The reggae, rock-fusion band Slightly Stoopid is among them. Their Summer Traditions 2022 Tour kicked off July 7 in Bonner, Montana. It’s the first in an epic concert schedule concluding this September in San Diego, California.

The ensemble was formed by Kyle McDonald and Miles Doughty in the mid 90s, pairing a unique style of California funk with reggaeinspired roots. The band now has seven members including drummer Ryan Moran, percussionist Oguer Ocon, saxophonist Daniel Delacruz, keyboardist Paul Wolstencroft, trumpet and trombone player Andy Geib, and multi-instrumentalists McDonald and Doughty.

Over the past two decades, Slightly Stoopid’s sound has evolved but its message has consistently called for cannabis reform. In 2017, they created a 12-inch “vinyl” record made entirely of hashish to raise awareness for cannabis legalization.

The band launched its cannabis brand Stoopid Organics in mid 2021. It offers two seed varieties through Humboldt Seed Company. The sativa strain, Stoopid Fruits, promises an uplifting, tropical flavor profile. Collie Man Kush, named after one of the band’s hit songs, is an indica blend touted as non-drowsy and productive. The brand is also offering a pre-roll, Stoopidhead Hammerhead, infused with THC diamonds. Products are available through select vendors in California.

Cannabis & Tech Today spoke with Doughty just before the band kicked off its summer tour to discuss his return to the road and why he’s been such a passionate advocate for cannabis the last 20 years. To hear the full interview, visit www.cannatechtoday.com/podcasts.

Cannabis & Tech Today: How did being on hiatus for two years from the pandemic impact you and the band?

Miles Doughty: It’s just crazy when you’ve been on the road more than half your life. Then all of a sudden, you’re not on the road for two full years — something that hasn’t happened since I was a teenager. [It was] definitely a mental adjustment, even physical, just because you’re used to being gone, six, seven months a year. Then just being home. One nice part about it is we all have families, so there was time to reflect and enjoy being a dad and enjoy your own town that you never see.

Photo: Keith Zacharski/In The Barrel Photo

C&T Today: What are you most excited about when you think of returning to touring?

MD: I think just the camaraderie with all my boys. This summer tour package, we’re friends with all the bands and it’s really a fun package from Fortunate Youth to Common Kings, Pepper. Even at the end The Elevators are going to get on some shows and it’s just like a really fun summertime package.

We’re going to make a point to really enjoy it like we used to back in the day — the barbecues after the shows, everyone going to the rivers, the beach, the mountains. We really want to embrace it more.

C&T Today: Slightly Stoopid has been making music about cannabis for a long time. What do you think has changed most about cannabis culture since the band formed in the 90s?

MD: It’s so open and free now … It’s weird because you kind of pride yourself on the way you grew up smoking weed and where you got it from, like all the local growers. It’s nice that it’s legalized, but there are dispensaries on every

corner. In all honesty, most of the stuff with dispensaries is crap in my opinion, because it’s meant to serve the masses.

When you have a private grower, they love that plant. He’s not necessarily growing 50 pounds, he’s going to grow like six ounces of the dank, that’ll just make your eyes cry when you smoke it. And it’ll take you to a different planet when you’re being creative. That’s what I loved about that era.

C&T Today: Are there aspects of legalization you don’t like?

I definitely preferred when it was more under the radar. Now, you just walk down the street in your neighborhood and everybody’s smoking a joint … I love that people love that it’s legal and you can get it, but there’s also a boundary that has to be somewhat set.

I think everywhere you go, if people have kids and everyone’s blowing weed smoke everywhere, you’re just like, “Whoa, whoa.” Can we go back to where you had to go around the corner and be [discrete]?

C&T Today: How have you seen cannabis play a role in wellness?

MD: There are so many cancer patients that CBD has saved. My dad’s a perfect example. He had stage four cancer and he was doing all this stuff that the hospitals wanted to do. And then he just started pumping with CBDs, like crazy. His last cancer check, the doctor literally was like, “I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but your cancer is literally decimated in your body.”

He was taking all this medicine for cancer and then it was the CBD that brought his [cancer] down. It was just incredible. Literally the doctor was like, “What are you taking Ken?” And he’s like, “I’m taking this and this [CBD].” And he is like, “Don’t stop.” My dad’s living proof that it does work, so it’s pretty incredible.

C&T Today: What’s next for Slightly Stoopid?

MD: We’re working on the new album right now. We leave next Tuesday for the summer tour with Pepper, Common Kings, Fortunate Youth, and The Elevators. It’s going to be insane, 32 cities, it goes all the way till September 3rd. We’ll end in San Diego at Petco Park.

Then pretty much just finish the record in the fall and get it out for [2023]. We’ve got a few singles lined up, we’re just in the finishing process right now. Once we hit the road, we collaborate with all those bands that are on the tour.

It’s going to be awesome. The best part of touring is when you’re doing those kinds of hangouts and situations where, for some ending songs, there’ll be like 18 people on stage playing the song because all the bands are involved in it. That’s the special part. ❖

All photos: Keith Zacharski/In The Barrel Photo