Hamilton defend stadium-naming deal with cannabis plant firm and ask what all the fuss is about

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL have defended their decision to strike a controversial new stadium-naming deal with a cannabis oil firm.

Starting from this season, the Scottish Premiership side's New Douglas Park will be known as the HopeCBD Stadium.

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It comes as a result of a new sponsorship deal which will score the Accies a five-figure payment per season as well a percentage share of the profits from the sale of cannabis-based products.

Critics argue it sends out the wrong message about cannabis but the club insists the deal is ‘within the ethos of Hamilton Academical’ and Hope CBD products containing cannabidiol can be compared to ‘alcohol-free lager.’

“CBD is, in fact, a non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant; hemp being part of the cannabis family.

“The very word ‘cannabis’ strikes the concerns of law breaking and addiction issues, but the facts surrounding CBD are much different.

“It is well known that Hamilton Academical Football Club are great ambassadors in supporting people and families in recovery from many addictions and are active in reaching out to the community to help those in recovery.

“The sponsorship with HopeCBD is very much within the ethos of Hamilton Academical Football Club and we are proud to be at the forefront of positive and progressive partnership with CBD providers such as Hope CBD.

“CBD is sold as a food supplement and no medical claims can be made. So why all the fuss?”

Hope CBD has run a small shop at New Douglas since last year with the firm selling a range of legal products such as oils, tea bags, sprays, vapes and sweets.

The new deal comes months after the club lost nearly £1million in a bank scam and the collapse of its current stadium sponsor, SuperSeal.

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