Primitiv operates premium cannabis dispensaries in Niles, Michigan and Boston's Waterfront District, serving both medical and adult-use customers. Their state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot cultivation facility in Michigan features over 3,600 square feet of canopy space with capacity for more than 2,000 plants.The company's product portfolio includes three distinct brands: their flagship Primitiv line featuring premium flower, pre-rolls, concentrates, edibles, and gummies; TURF, a sibling brand offering indoor-grown products with gaming-inspired packaging reminiscent of Tecmo Bowl; and Primitiv Performance, a CBD wellness line featuring nano-enhanced drink mixes and topical creams.Their dispensaries carry carefully curated selections from top Michigan and Massachusetts brands including Cookies, Big Papi Brand, Wana, Fernway, Happy Valley, Jeeter, and Mitten Extracts. Primitiv Performance products utilize proprietary nano-emulsion technology for faster absorption and more effective results, targeting athletes and active individuals seeking plant-based recovery solutions. Each location emphasizes customer education and personalized recommendations from knowledgeable budtenders.
Primitiv was born in 2019 from the shared vision of former NFL teammates Calvin Johnson Jr., a 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and Rob Sims, who played nine seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. Both athletes experienced the physical tolls of professional football and sought more holistic approaches to pain management, leading them to discover cannabis as a natural alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments.The company opened its flagship dispensary in Niles, Michigan in early 2022, followed by a Boston location in 2023. The Boston dispensary represents a collaboration with their former Detroit Lions teammate Gosder Cherilus, a Boston College alumnus who co-owns the Waterfront District location.A defining moment came when Primitiv partnered with Harvard University's International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute, committing a six-figure donation to research cannabis treatments for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and pain management. This groundbreaking partnership positioned Primitiv not just as a cannabis retailer, but as a leader in advancing medical cannabis research and education.
Primitiv's mission is to act as a leading light in the cannabis industry by supporting efforts to provide holistic relief for patients who struggle with chronic illness and pain, while educating the public on the health benefits of marijuana. We embrace the transformative power of plants to promote wellness and balance, with an approach rooted in compassion, innovation, and a commitment to advancing cannabis as a natural solution for a healthier lifestyle.Through partnerships with institutions like Harvard University's International Phytomedicines and Medical Cannabis Institute, Primitiv works to expand research and disseminate information on cannabis benefits for medical conditions including chronic pain, CTE, and cancer treatments. The company is dedicated to breaking down stigmas surrounding cannabis through evidence-based education and developing products rooted in science and optimized for wellness.
What sets Primitiv apart is their authentic connection between professional athletics and cannabis wellness. Founded by NFL legends who genuinely experienced cannabis's healing benefits during their playing careers, this isn't just marketing—it's personal testimony backed by serious research investment.Their Harvard University partnership demonstrates unprecedented commitment to advancing cannabis science, particularly for conditions like CTE that affect countless former athletes. The attention to cultivation quality in their sophisticated Michigan facility, combined with their diverse product portfolio from premium flower to innovative nano CBD formulations, shows they're serious about both recreation and wellness applications.TURF's gaming-inspired packaging brings fun personality to premium products, while their focus on customer education and personalized service creates an elevated dispensary experience. For deal-seekers, Primitiv offers daily specials across all product categories plus a robust loyalty program that makes premium cannabis accessible to regular consumers.