The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first in history hosted across countries where cannabis is largely legalized. And no one is better positioned to explore that intersection than Ethan Zohn.
The former pro soccer player turned Survivor Africa winner turned two time blood cancer survivor has lived a life that keeps circling back to community, resilience, and survival. During Zohn’s battle with cancer, the plant entered his life, helping him get through his darkest stretch.
Now, he’s channeling all of his experiences into Kicking Back, his new web series with High Times that travels to many of the World Cup host cities. On each leg of his tour, Ethan aims to find where soccer culture and cannabis culture collide.
PufCreative was stoked to be part of the project. To mark the launch of the series, we sat down with Ethan to talk about the show, the World Cup, and what led him to this moment.
PufCreativ: Ethan, you wear a lot of hats, including former pro soccer player, Survivor winner, cancer survivor, and cannabis advocate. How did all of those experiences converge into Kicking Back?
Ethan Zohn: Honestly, I don’t experience them as separate hats. They’re all part of the same story. Soccer gave me the framework for how to compete, how to be part of a team, how to show up and perform under pressure. Survivor stripped everything away and showed me what’s left when it’s gone. Cancer taught me not to take any of it for granted. And cannabis was part of my recovery.
All of it taught me that we’re not meant to go through anything alone.
Kicking Back is where all of that gets to come together on screen. It’s a show about the game and the plant. And, if I’m being honest, it’s really a way for me to travel, eat great food, meet interesting people, and watch the matches in some incredible places across America.
PufCreativ: This year is significant being the first World Cup held entirely in countries where cannabis is legal in some capacity. How significant is that? Did it shape the premise for Kicking Back?
EZ: It’s a big deal. The most-watched sporting event on the planet is in three countries where cannabis legalization has moved from totally illegal to a fixture in many places.
Think about the cool experiences this World Cup can deliver thanks to cannabis. Many spectators are coming from countries that haven’t made as much, or any, progress on legalization. While here, they get to experience cannabis without facing persecution. There’s also tons of first-time experiences for American consumers, like watch parties in New York City, where you can legally smoke outside in most public places.
There’s so many more awesome examples like those that I can’t wait to share on Kicking Back. Cannabis has arrived! and moved out of the shadows and into the light.
PufCreativ: The show notes that soccer and cannabis create community together. How have you experienced that?
EZ: I’m incredibly fortunate to play the sport I love and see the world while doing it. I played in Hawaii, Cape Cod, Zimbabwe, Israel, the U.S., and lots of places in between. I’ve watched the plant open doors in places where nothing else seemed to connect everyone. Both are amazing unifiers, among the many great things they both can produce.
PufCreativ: As a professional athlete, how has your relationship with cannabis and soccer evolved over the years?
EZ: It’s changed quite a bit. Back when I was playing professionally, it wasn’t allowed. When I began treatment, that’s when cannabis really came into my life. It really helped me get back on my feet, and eventually play soccer again. That’s when they really started to come together in a way where I could enjoy them both on my terms.
PufCreativ: Last question, who’s winning the World Cup?
EZ: I’m going with the USA, even if that sounds like a longshot. Maybe not so much after that Paraguay game, though. This feels like the moment it finally clicks, and a USA win would absolutely seal the sport’s place here. It won’t be an easy route but I’m backing them.
Follow along on Ethan’s journey this summer. Watch episodes of Kicking Back on High Times’ YouTube page.
