Back in September, ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, commemorating his 19-year career in professional basketball. But after Carmelo stepped into the Hall of Fame, he did more than cement a legendary sports career, he commemorated the moment with a new brand partnership: “Hall of Flame,” a cannabis line launched via a collaboration between his STAYME7O brand and Skyworld, an Indigenous‑owned New York cannabis company. 

“Hall of Flame” is a limited‑edition line featuring a hybrid strain labeled exclusive #7 (Zero Gravity x Garlotti) 1/8ths along with infused pre-rolls in collectible tubes with branded packaging, a collectible enamel pin, and induction into the StayMe7o Hall of Flame. 

In New York, the “Hall of Flame #7” hybrid strain is billed with roughly 26.02% THC, marketed as producing calm, happy, relaxed, energetic effects. 

Anthony’s entrance into cannabis is not sudden though. Last year, he and partners Jesce Horton (of Portland based cannabis company LOWD) and Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce (aka “Beedy”) founded STAYME7O under the umbrella of Grand National, a cannabis marketing and agency venture. “We’re creating a premium cannabis brand,” he told Forbes back in April. “This is not just doing something and stamping my name on it. We’re very thoughtful. There’s mindfulness. We deal with quality and community. It’s really a reflection of who I am—my mindset, my philosophy.” 

“Hall of Flame,” a cannabis line launched via a collaboration between Carmelo Anthony’s STAYME7O brand and Skyworld, an Indigenous‑owned New York cannabis company. /Photo Credit: Illusia Agency

It was in this context that the “Hall of Flame” concept emerged: a cannabis collection to commemorate his induction into the Hall of Fame; not with the typical champagne toast, but with a premium cannabis drop that’s rooted in culture, equity, and legacy. 

Skyworld is a New York–based cannabis brand led by Indigenous leadership (notably Alex Anderson of the Tuscarora Nation) focused on traditional values, authenticity, and amplifying underrepresented voices. 

Carmelo Anthony with Alex Anderson at the “Hall Of Flame” launch event in New York./Photo Credit: Illusia Agency

For Anthony, pairing with Skyworld made sense: it allowed him to anchor the “Hall of Flame” drop in New York’s budding recreational cannabis ecosystem while also honoring heritage. By joining forces, STAYME7O and Skyworld embed the product in a narrative that transcends novelty, linking sports legacy, plant culture, and community uplift.

The original public debut of Hall of Flame took place in Brooklyn, where the new flower, pre-rolls, and limited editions were revealed to guests, buyers, and stakeholders.  The release was given symbolic weight due to the event being tied to Anthony’s Hall of Fame induction weekend.  

In addition to consumer events, the rollout in New York aligns with STAYME7O’s broader launch into the state, working through license channels and dispensaries.  A portion of proceeds is pledged to NuProject, a nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs affected by cannabis criminalization, and the Last Prisoner Project, advocating criminal justice reform. 

Because celebrity cannabis lines sometimes face skepticism as superficial or cash grabs, Anthony and his team emphasize that STAYME7O is not a name-only endorsement and that he approached the brand methodically and is involved in cultivation, quality oversight, and strategy. In New York, navigating licensing, compliance, and distribution is not exactly trivial.  Ensuring long-term brand legitimacy requires consistency, supply integrity, and staying true to the mission.

Carmelo Anthony at the “Hall of Flame” Launch Event in New York /Photo Credit: Illusia Agency

Carmelo Anthony’s “Hall of Flame” launch is more than a celebrity’s dabble, it represents something more. It represents cultural anchoring by tying cannabis to sports legacy and community identity rather than mere celebrity branding. 

It represents Equity-forward business by explicitly giving back to communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. It represents market timing by entering New York during its early regulated recreational market era, when first-mover prestige still carries weight. And it represents changing stigma with a Hall of Famer launching a cannabis line signals normalization in mainstream consciousness.

When asked about the collaboration, Anthony said, “STAYME7O is more than a brand, it is an intentional mindset and community dedicated to shifting perspectives. The launch of our Hall of Flame celebrates Indigenous leadership, honors tradition, and connects people in a meaningful way. Together with Skyworld, we’re setting a new standard for collaboration: powerful, inclusive, and built to last.” 

Hall of Flame is currently available wherever Skyworld is sold at licensed dispensaries across New York. For a complete list, visit Skyworld’s store locator.

AJ Favorito, is Head Magazine’s Sports Editor. He is a freelance writer and an award winning media producer with over 9 years of experience in sports media.

Works cited

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