phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES AUG 25TH–AUG 31ST, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | The Highsman NFL great Ricky Williams discusses his life with pot during a visit to Mint’s kitchen. BY MIKE MADRIAGA E ven an NFL great, rushing more than 10,000 yards, couldn’t break the grip of the cannabis-infused grub at The Mint Café in Tempe during a recent visit. On July 28, NFL legend and 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams visited the 12,000-square-foot dispensary and the first cannabis-infused kitchen in the U.S. with delivery services. “Ricky ordered a [vegan] burger and a pizza from our cafe,” said Pablo Palomino, chief branding officer of The Mint dispensary. “He visited a few departments and saw firsthand how The Mint operates.” In May, right around his 45th birthday, Williams publicly said he changed his legal name to Errick Miron, assuming his birth name and his wife’s last name. On his Highsman cannabis brand website, however, the San Diego native is still referred to by his Ricky Williams monicker known worldwide for scoring 66 touch- downs playing in the NFL. On The Mint dispensary’s social media video, the Miami Dolphins’ former running back is seen viewing the kitchen, vault, and showroom, as well as hanging The Mint Raul Molina and 1998 Heismann Trophy award winner, Ricky Williams (right). out with the employees. Some staffers even busted out the iconic “Unitas” football pose in a photo with the star player who rocked the No. 34 jersey. Raul Molina, chief operating officer of The Mint, gave the Pro Bowl player the tour. “It was impressive to see how well- versed he is in everything cannabis,” Molina said in a Phoenix New Times inter- view. “We talked shop and shared views on many things. Everything from working together to carrying his products to Super Bowl promotions this coming year.” Last year, Williams launched his Highsman cannabis line — a wordplay on his collegiate football award — which includes Pregame, a sativa; Halftime, a hybrid; and Postgame, an indica. And with Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale kicking off on February 12, 2023, Molina’s ready for Williams to make a memorable return to The Mint’s three dispensaries in the Valley, the other two being in Mesa and Phoenix. “We agreed to meet again in the near future and discuss possibilities,” he added. Williams played pro ball with the New Orleans Saints from 1999-2001, then the Miami Dolphins from 2002-2003 and 2005. Williams then played for the Toronto Argonauts, in the Canadian Football League, in 2006, followed by a return to the NFL in Miami in 2007, where he played until 2010. He played his final season in Baltimore with the Ravens in 2011. The NFL suspended Williams five times during his football career for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy as he was using marijuana to battle social anxiety disorders. Williams said he retired from >> p 39 37
