Calvin Johnson Jr., Co-Founder, Primitiv and Primitiv Performance

A native of Georgia, Calvin Johnson Jr. is a cannabis entrepreneur and a 2021 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A proud father and man of faith, Calvin has three sons and lives in metro Detroit with his family.

As a standout Wide Receiver at Georgia Tech in 2007, Johnson was selected by The Detroit Lions with the 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft. Calvin quickly became known as one of the top wide receivers of his time earning the moniker, Megatron, for becoming a nemesis to defenses across the league. A six-time Pro Bowler, and NFL All-Pro, Johnson smashed records spending his entire nine year career in Detroit. During his Hall of Fame career, Johnson played in 135 games and had 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. In 2012 Johnson amassed 1,964 receiving yards, which is still an NFL record.

Since retiring from the NFL in 2016, Johnson has taken on several business ventures: mentoring and training football players at the collegiate and pro levels, investing in real estate and consulting fellow athletes during their transition from professional sports to the corporate world with Locker Room Consulting along with his business partner and former teammate, Rob Sims. His work in the real estate market served as a springboard into the cannabis industry, allowing Johnson and his team to secure several cannabis-approved sites for development and the creation of Primitiv Group; a forward-thinking, Michigan-based cannabis company dedicated to the advancement of cannabis as a form of elevated wellness, believing that the plant holds incredible potential as a healing agent. Johnson has been recognized as an industry leader, being named to two cannabis 40 under 40 lists by Marijuana Ventures and Cannabis Now magazines.

In February of 2023, Johnson and Sims launched Primitiv Performance; a product line that utilizes a proprietary blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and multiple phytocannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBC, CBN) to help people living an athletic lifestyle rehydrate, recover, and boost their immune system before, during or after a workout. Primitiv Performance’s initial product line includes four great-tasting flavors of an oral rehydration solution that contains 25mg of nano CBD, 180mg Sodium, 150mg of Potassium; Vitamin A and Vitamin C and blended in ratios recommended by leading health organizations; and a transdermal topical cream sold in 1oz and 4oz jars that was specifically formulated to address chronic pain and inflammation caused by sports injuries and everyday wear and tear.

Johnson and his team have partnered with The International Phytomedicines Institute at Harvard University, working to expand research and disseminate information on the Health benefits of cannabis on a wide range of medical conditions, including chronic pain, CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), and cancer treatment. Primitiv is a member of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association which advocates for a favorable political policy environment for Cannabis to thrive by promoting sensible laws, regulations and setting industry best practices among members.

Johnson operates his namesake, Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation with the mission of empowering at-risk youth to overcome socio-economic obstacles, achieve their academic and civic goals, and ultimately become educated, compassionate, and productive members of society. The foundation offers its time and finances to serve youth who might not otherwise have access to career mentoring, educational resources and college scholarship opportunities.

Johnson is also partnered with NESTRE, a mental and cognitive strength training company, combining the science of neuroplasticity with AI/Machine Learning technology, to personalize how people perform better, feel better, and get better.

Johnson is on social media (Instagram: @megatron) + (Twitter: @calvinjohnsonjr).