Kicking Back Series Launches, Blending Soccer and Cannabis Culture Across the U.S

A new docuseries is taking viewers on a unique journey across the United States, exploring the intersection of soccer and cannabis culture during the World Cup. Hosted by Ethan Zohn, a former pro soccer player and Survivor winner, "Kicking Back" follows Zohn as he travels city to city, seeking out the communities where the love of the world's game meets the emerging cannabis scene. The series opens in Boston, a city with deep ties to both soccer history and Zohn's personal story

Zohn brings a distinctive perspective to the series, drawing on his own experiences as a Division III goalkeeper and his transformation into a cannabis advocate. "Cannabis is moving from the shadows into the light," Zohn narrates in the first episode, referencing both his personal journey and the broader shift in public perception. The show highlights how spaces once reserved for soccer fans are now also welcoming cannabis enthusiasts, reflecting changing attitudes in states like Massachusetts

The first episode features stops at local landmarks with personal significance for Zohn, including Lexington, where he first played soccer and tried cannabis. He reconnects with Kristen and Eric Rogers, creators of Levia—the first cannabis seltzer on the East Coast—who note, "First drink on the East Coast," as they toast the occasion. The episode also showcases a pickup match using PUGG pop-up goals, a tasting of cannabis-infused hot sauce, and a visit to a dispensary near Fenway Park, capturing the festival-like atmosphere that has swept Boston during the tournament

International fans are a key part of the story, with Scottish supporters—known as the Tartan Army—expressing surprise at being able to purchase legal cannabis in Massachusetts, a stark contrast to the laws back home. Gino Anderson, president of the American Outlaws supporters group, underscores the practical benefits: "I know people that use it who have like chronic pain just for all sports in general. It's been a huge help." The episode concludes with a lively bar scene, Levia-infused drinks, and a victorious U.S. team, setting the stage for future episodes in other host cities

OG Lab notes that "Kicking Back" not only highlights the evolving relationship between sports and cannabis, but also signals how mainstream events like the World Cup can accelerate cultural acceptance. As the series moves on to Philadelphia and beyond, it offers a fresh look at how cannabis is becoming part of the modern American sports experience