Scottish Premiership football team Hamilton Academical has hit back at criticism over its new stadium naming rights deal with cannabis plant company HopeCBD, saying that the agreement is “within the ethos” of the club.
HopeCBD supplies products that contain cannabidol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant that is part of the cannabis family.
The agreement will see the team’s New Douglas Park renamed as the HopeCBD Stadium.
Some fans had raised concerns over the club being affiliated with a company that is active in this market, but Hamilton has responded by highlighting the positives of both the deal and the services offered by HopeCBD.
“The very word ‘cannabis’ strikes the concerns of law breaking and addiction issues, but the facts surrounding CBD are much different,” Hamilton said in a statement.
“The hemp plant goes through what is known as ‘full spectrum C02 extraction’ and is then further distilled to remove psychoactive elements that are found within the plant – THC.
“It is the removal of this compound, leaving many other cannabinoids, particularly CBD that makes the products 100 per cent non-psychoactive or addictive, meaning consuming it results in no mind altering effects – like alcohol free lager as such.”
Hamilton added: “It is well known that Hamilton Academical Football Club are great ambassadors in supporting people and families in recovery from many addictions and are active in reaching out to the community to help those in recovery.
“The sponsorship with HopeCBD is very much within the ethos of Hamilton Academical Football Club and we are proud to be at the forefront of positive and progressive partnership with CBD providers such as Hope CBD.”
The deal comes as the UK government announced new laws to allow specialist doctors in the country to legally prescribe cannabis-derived medicinal products from this autumn.
Hamilton added: “CBD is sold as a food supplement and no medical claims can be made.
“So why all the fuss? Could it be that pharmaceutical companies could be fearful that the rumours are true?”
Image: Kafuffle
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