[PRESS RELEASE] – NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 – Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star and recently selected first-ballot basketball Hall of Fame inductee, announced the highly anticipated launch of his cannabis brand, STAYME7O (pronounced "Stay Melo"), and cannabis-focused agency, Grand National, in New York. The rollout to select retailers across the state will begin in April 2025.
Anthony, whose storied basketball career includes seven memorable seasons with the New York Knicks, is now channeling his passion and entrepreneurial spirit into the cannabis industry, following the launch of his wine and multimedia companies. STAYME7O Cannabis, developed in partnership with renowned cannabis entrepreneur Jesce Horton and award-winning creative director Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce ("Beedy"), aims to elevate the cannabis experience through meticulously crafted products and a commitment to social equity.
"I’m excited to be launching the debut of STAYME7O in New York,” Anthony said. "New York is home, and bringing this project to life here feels incredibly personal and full circle. This isn't just about cannabis—it's about empowering our communities, uplifting underserved entrepreneurs, and creating meaningful opportunities that support and celebrate our culture."
“Launching STAYME7O in New York alongside Carmelo exemplifies the type of projects Grand National is committed to—we build brands that authentically represent the culture and bring value and excitement to the market,” said Horton, co-founder of Grand National and co-founder of the Minority Cannabis Business Association.
Grand National, the agency behind STAYME7O, was co-founded by Anthony, Horton and Pierce to strategically support cannabis brands and operators navigating today's rapidly evolving industry. Leveraging deep expertise in engineering, plant science, elite marketing, film production and global visibility, Grand National bridges the gap between innovation and execution.
Anthony and his partners have prioritized collaboration with minority-owned businesses and dispensaries, underscoring their commitment to social justice and economic empowerment. STAYME7O will debut in New York following a successful rollout in Oregon last year.
A portion of STAYME7O's proceeds will support NuProject, a nonprofit providing funding, financial coaching and network connections to help diverse entrepreneurs build generational wealth through the legal cannabis industry, and the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit dedicated to cannabis criminal justice reform. Anthony said, "It's essential we open doors and create meaningful opportunities for these communities."
With the New York launch, Anthony and his partners at Grand National and STAYME7O are poised to build upon their West Coast debut and redefine the cannabis landscape, combining premium products, powerful execution and a steadfast commitment to social equity.
