A new soccer and cannabis themed World Cup travel series is exploring legal cannabis culture across America this summer. Hosted by inspirational speaker and soccer player Ethan Zohn, Kicking Back is coming to a city near you!
Kicking Back with Ethan Zohn
Ethan Zohn captured America’s attention by winning Survivor: Africa. He also raced around the world on The Amazing Race. Off-camera, Zohn co-founded Grassroot Soccer, a nonprofit using the sport to tackle HIV/AIDS and mental health challenges facing young people worldwide. Now he’s back on screen as the host of a new travel series from High Times Media, Kicking Back.
We sat down with Ethan Zohn to talk soccer, breaking stigmas, and building community through cannabis.
How have soccer, cannabis, and community affected your life?
They’ve all shaped me in massive ways. Soccer legitimately gave me the world. I played in places I never would have seen. I met people I otherwise never would have met. Cannabis came into my life during a really hard stretch with my health. It helped with my recovery while showing me how important community is. I really needed that then.
And now, years later, I’m still being shaped by the power of the plant, community, and even a bit of soccer.
How do you think soccer and cannabis have helped to break barriers?
Because people love both of them, a LOT. Young adults, elderly, rich, poor, whoever, wherever. Just about anywhere in the world, you can find someone kicking a ball and you can find someone smoking herb. They both produce joy and shared experiences and often leave you wanting to nap when it’s over.
There are very few things that can bridge gaps like soccer and cannabis do.
How does cannabis culture vary from community to community?
More than people might expect. The plant is the same across the globe. But the relationship people have with it is completely shaped by where they are, what’s legal, and what’s accepted locally. Some communities have been living with cannabis culture for generations. Others are just starting to have their first legal interactions. And in many places it’s still illegal. So, if people want to be part of their cannabis community, it could come at a steep risk.
America has different rules in each state, but legalization is moving across the country. I’m excited to highlight some of those differences on Kicking Back.
As cannabis becomes more socially acceptable, what are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen?
The thing that stands out most to me is how it has become part of everyday conversation in lots of places. Even 10 years ago, you were lowering your voice when the topic came up. Now people talk about their favorite strains out in the open, like it’s any other product.
People are talking about cannabis like that because they’re using it so often at home. It’s become part of their everyday life. It can help people overcome health issues just as much as it can help people enjoy a soccer game. For millions, it’s part of their routines and their conversations with friends. It’s great to see.
Stay tuned, in a couple of episodes we visit some wild consumption World Cup watch parties!
Where do you hope to see things go?
I’d love to see the stigma around cannabis continue to fade, especially for medical purposes. I hope the industry keeps honoring the communities that have been part of cannabis culture for a long time. I hope Kicking Back can do a bit of that. I’d also like to see more professional leagues remove cannabis from the banned substance list, like the WNBA just did.
Cannabis tourism is a cool idea that helps people have more memorable experiences, like the ones I’m fortunate enough to showcase in this series.
Tell us about partnering with High Times and which World Cup cities you’re visiting.
High Times felt like the right home for this from the start. Nobody has been telling the cannabis story for longer or as well as they have. It just made perfect sense.
Together, we’re hitting several of the U.S. host cities, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. Viewers can follow along on the High Times YouTube channel and on Instagram @KickingBackwithEthan.
Stop by Shore House Canna to pick up your favorite products to enjoy while watching Kicking Back.
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