This interview first appeared in the Sports Edition of Fat Nugs Magazine, released May 2024.
Stoners love pickleball. It’s a beautiful blend of physical stamina & mental agility. Yes, you read that right – and the Italian Pickleball Champion loves cannabis too. I met Ernesto Russo in Las Vegas at the Golden Paddle Showdown at MJBizCon 2023. It was amazing to see not only stoners out there being active and doing the damn thing, but a pro who can compete and smoke out with the rest of us.
Beyond the looks and flowing mane of hair is someone who truly loves his sport. Much like the team at FNM lives, eats, & breathes cannabis, Ernesto does so with Pickleball.
“My favorite thing about pickleball is the journey. Every day I step on the court I become better than before, traveling the world, meeting new people, and competing at the highest level.” Ernesto said.
His day-to-day revolves around practices, training, and recovery, and that last part is where cannabis has found a space in his regimen. “My cannabis use started really late because I was a professional athlete & in Italy marijuana was illegal.” He continued.
After trying cannabis with some friends, he started to explore its potential uses in his own life. “…From there I started smoking occasionally & I liked the way it relaxed me and allowed me to recover.”
Even though it became part of his regimen, he still chooses to stay away from THC while training, practicing, or competing. “THC remains limited to recovery and bedtime because sleeping better means I can recover better.”
Ernesto spends his days in the gym training. In and out of practice, the products he uses have been a game-changer in his recovery and how well his body moves and grooves. “My body resets a lot faster the stiffness and inflammation is noticeably reduced.”
After talking with him, it’s clear that cannabis helps him be the best version of himself, and he’s found a great balance of CBD and THC that works for his lifestyle.
We talked about some of the different types of products he enjoys, and even athletes love to have variety. Cannabis doesn’t just improve his life; it is part of achieving balance, whether it is a gummy before bed or the occasional pre-roll with his wife.
When asked what advice he would give to other athletes interested in using cannabis, Ernesto said, “Check the regulations first, but if there are no problems, then try it because it will make a big difference in your recovery.”
Want to test your own Pickleball skills in Las Vegas? Join Fat Nugs, PufCreativ, WaxNax, and more great people at the 2025 Golden Paddle Showdown, December 3, 2025.
