San Francisco: opening of the first gym where cannabis is allowed

Ever since he started smoking weed in his parents' garage, Jim McAlpine has dreamed of opening a gym where he could combine sports and cannabis. Dream come true.

Accompanied by former NFL running back Ricky williams, Jim McAlpine will open the Power Plant Fitness in San Francisco during November 2016. Also founder of 420 Games, With his expertise in the fields of triathlon and endurance racing, this entrepreneur has a head for ideas.

«Fitness first, cannabis later». Jim McAlpine bases his workouts on Crossfit. In preparation for a possible full legalization of cannabis in California, cannabis start-ups abound in the state. The market is currently suffering from a lack of investment due to the federal ban on cannabis. For the two entrepreneurs, the presence of sport in the project facilitated the creation of the company.

The technical staff set up a ’cannabis performance evaluation« system.

The aim is to try and examine what cannabis does to each individual and adapt a training system based on reactions. Customers will be invited to vaporize and eating cannabis, (because smoking is more dangerous and harder before sport). From CBD-based foods or hemp will also be distributed, which are softer than spaces food usual. However, it is not advisable to go all out in this venue, which is above all dedicated to sport.

«It's more of an overachieving philosophy, there will be more use of the mind than in other gyms. I've been dreaming of this since I was 18, and I'm glad to be here when the walls of Prohibition come down,» says Jim McAlpine.

Read more: New luxury Bud and breakfast upsets Colorado's cannabis tourism scene

Scientific research on benefits of cannabis during sporting activity remain unclear for the time being. But the World Anti-Doping Association has just banned cannabis as a doping substance. The agency considers that the plant «helps athletes reduce anxiety and increases lung ventilation».»

Rycky Williams exceeded 4 times the NFL drug policy during his career, including 3 times for cannabis use. He says he wants to change the approach to sport and drugs because he believes his career was destroyed by a drug test: «I was a good soccer player, a good person, my team-mates and coaches loved me, but my career was ruined because of a drug test. They need to have a more humane approach.

At present, the NFL prefers to treat its athletes with opioids to help them recover more quickly. However, some are calling for the authorization of cannabis in the NFL and NBA.

Théo Caillart