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The gaming pioneers openly blazing trails in cannabis culture
Gaming Credentials: Founder and Owner of OpTic Gaming
Cannabis Connection: Pine Park Cannabis brand founder
H3CZ represents the highest level of cannabis-gaming convergence: a multi-million dollar esports organization founder who launched his own cannabis brand. With nearly 1 million followers on Twitter and 25+ years of cannabis use (since 1997), he’s the face of this movement. His Pine Park brand launched in October 2021 features six cannabis strains including Chem Driver (his favorite) and Blueberry Haze.
In His Own Words: “Originally, I had gone with a tequila brand. But when I started to do the research, and I saw the opportunities, I was like, ‘there’s no reason why I shouldn’t take a chance on this.'”
The Impact: H3CZ is the first prominent gaming influencer to professionally align with the cannabis industry. His April 2021 tweet announcing his entry into the cannabis space garnered over 6 million impressions, demonstrating massive audience readiness. He’s creating a blueprint for other gaming influencers through his partnership with OpenNest Labs.
For those interested in strain selection, Herb’s strain guides can help you understand the differences between H3CZ’s Chem Driver and Blueberry Haze offerings.
Gaming Credentials: Retired Call of Duty Professional, OpTic Gaming Content Creator
Cannabis Connection: Daily user for focus and recovery, Veriheal partnership
MBoZe represents the retired pro-turned-streamer who openly uses cannabis on-stream, making him a powerful destigmatization figure. As part of OpTic Gaming, whose channels collectively reach millions of followers on Twitch, his authentic community engagement about cannabis reaches a massive audience. He uses cannabis in his everyday routine for focus, relaxation, and recovery, partnering with Veriheal in March 2024 to promote responsible, informed use.
In His Own Words: “Cannabis enhances my gameplay by keeping me more relaxed in tough situations. It calms and relaxes me and keeps me level-headed in the game… As far as recovery, it helps me get a good night’s rest and takes my mind off of gaming for the night.”
The Impact: MBoZe is busting the stigma by bringing his “full authentic self” to streams without censoring his appreciation for cannabis. He notes that “the attitude towards cannabis while streaming has definitely changed. A lot more people are open about it, which I think is a good thing.”
If you’re looking for local cannabis products like those MBoZe uses, Herb’s dispensary directory can help you find legal weed shops in your area.
Gaming Credentials: Co-founder of FaZe Clan
Cannabis Connection: RCVRY cannabis brand partnership with The Parent Company
FaZe Rain’s involvement demonstrates that the gaming-cannabis crossover is not a one-off trend but an emerging industry. As a FaZe Clan co-founder of the organization that went public in a $725 million SPAC deal, his September 2022 RCVRY brand launch with The Parent Company (the same company behind Jay-Z’s cannabis brand) validates this market.
The Impact: Following H3CZ’s Pine Park, FaZe Rain’s RCVRY shows accelerating trend adoption in the gaming-cannabis space. The deal demonstrates “the growing clout of canna gamers” and establishes recovery-focused branding in the gaming cannabis market.
For those interested in the latest cannabis news and brand developments like RCVRY, Herb’s cannabis news section covers emerging trends and product launches.
Gaming Credentials: Twitch Cannabis Education Streamer
Cannabis Connection: Medicinal cannabis co-op operator, cultivation educator
PotQuest represents the cannabis education side of gaming culture – not a competitive player, but a streamer using gaming platforms to normalize and educate about cannabis cultivation. Based in Riverside County, California, he runs a medicinal cannabis co-op and streams 24/7 plant growth cams to 20-100+ concurrent viewers.
In His Own Words: “I think they are very concerned about losing affiliation with groups that have something against cannabis. And if they were to tie themselves to someone like me, someone who does grow, they could lose those affiliations.”
The Impact: Despite qualifying for partnership on Twitch 8 times, PotQuest has been denied each time, likely due to his cannabis association. His experience highlights ongoing platform discrimination despite state legalization. Thousands watch his streams to learn cultivation, representing genuine educational interest in cannabis growing.
For those interested in growing their own cannabis like PotQuest, Herb’s cannabis education resources provide insights into cultivation and plant care.
Gaming Credentials: Twitch Cannabis Streamer and Author
Cannabis Connection: Minority advocate, interactive educator, criminal justice reform supporter
Chef Anna represents the intersection of cannabis education, gaming platforms, and social justice advocacy. Based in Detroit, Michigan, he allows viewers to sponsor specific plants, name them, and receive updates, creating personal investment in cannabis education. As a Black cannabis professional, he addresses minority representation in an industry with limited diversity.
In His Own Words: “There aren’t many people who look like myself, who are minorities, doing what I do. But I just do what I can to represent myself and that group of people—and to show them that they can do it, too… All we can do on our end is keep pushing for that—keep pushing for equity and for records to be expunged.”
The Impact: Chef Anna pushes for expunging marijuana crimes and equity programs while building community through interactive cannabis education. He notes that “a lot of people never get to see the plants while they’re alive. I know myself, my first time seeing a live marijuana plant, I had been smoking for years,” highlighting the educational gap his streams address.
For those wanting to understand different cannabis consumption experiences and effects, Herb’s strain information provides detailed profiles of various cannabis varieties.
While leagues like the NFL and NBA have relaxed their cannabis policies, competitive gaming at the top level remains relatively restrictive. ESL, for example, has banned cannabis during competition since 2015, creating an environment where most cannabis use—if it happens—stays “behind the scenes.” Yet a growing number of esports figures are stepping forward to advocate for the plant outside competitive events. This list highlights gaming pioneers who’ve publicly discussed cannabis use, launched cannabis brands, or built communities around cannabis education. For cannabis consumers who game, these individuals represent the authentic convergence of two passionate communities.
If you’re exploring different consumption methods like vaping, edibles, or flower, you’ll find these gaming influencers use the same approaches for in-game focus, stress relief, and post-game recovery. Their advocacy helps normalize responsible cannabis use in a community that’s historically been cautious about public disclosure.
The esports industry maintains complex relationships with cannabis. While ESL’s anti-doping policies prohibit cannabis during competition, organizations like OpTic Gaming and FaZe Clan actively embrace cannabis partnerships outside competitive events. This creates a dual reality where cannabis is banned in tournaments but celebrated in content creation and brand development.
Key Industry Dynamics:
The trend shows cannabis acceptance is accelerating in gaming culture, with 2021-2024 seeing multiple high-profile brand launches and partnerships.
These five individuals are actively challenging the “stoner gamer” stereotype by demonstrating responsible, purposeful cannabis use. They’re entrepreneurs, educators, advocates, and professionals who happen to use cannabis – not defined by it.
How They’re Changing the Narrative:
The cannabis community continues to evolve through these authentic voices who represent the mature, responsible face of cannabis in gaming culture.
Some major esports organizers, such as ESL, maintain anti-doping policies that prohibit cannabis during in-person competition. However, these restrictions typically don’t apply to content creators or activities outside official tournaments. The focus has been on maintaining competitive integrity during events while allowing more personal freedom outside competition. Organizations like OpTic Gaming and FaZe Clan have embraced cannabis-related partnerships for some of their founders and creators, creating a dual environment where cannabis is restricted in tournaments but increasingly accepted in the broader gaming culture.
Individual esports players report varied effects based on personal physiology and cannabis type. Marcus “MBoZe” Blanks Jr. states that cannabis helps him stay “more relaxed in tough situations” and “level-headed in the game,” suggesting it enhances his performance under pressure. However, effects vary significantly by individual, strain, and consumption method like concentrates versus flower. Scientific research on cannabis and gaming performance remains limited, with most evidence being anecdotal from players themselves. Herb’s strain guides can help you understand how different cannabis varieties might affect focus and relaxation.
Public disclosure remains relatively rare among active competitive players due to league policies and sponsorship concerns. Most open cannabis advocacy comes from retired players, organization founders, or content creators like those on this list. The trend is shifting toward greater openness, with streamers like MBoZe bringing their “full authentic self” to broadcasts. Platform policies can create barriers, as evidenced by PotQuest’s repeated partnership denials despite meeting all qualifications. However, the gaming community’s attitude is evolving, with more players and fans accepting cannabis as part of gaming culture.
Herb’s comprehensive strain information database provides detailed profiles of hundreds of cannabis varieties, including their effects, flavors, and recommended uses. Whether you’re looking for strains that promote focus like some gaming influencers prefer, or relaxation for post-game recovery, our strain guides offer science-backed information. Each strain profile includes cannabinoid content, terpene profiles, and user reviews to help you make informed choices. The database covers everything from H3CZ’s preferred Chem Driver to various indica, sativa, and hybrid options. You can search by desired effects, medical applications, or flavor preferences to find your ideal strain.
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