Iverson '01 is an indica-dominant hybrid from Viola, the Detroit cannabis company co-founded by former NBA player Al Harrington. Built from F1 Durban, Gushers and Runtz, it is grown at Viola Cultivation in Detroit, Michigan.
The strain carries Allen Iverson's name and marks his 2001 season, the year he won NBA MVP and led the 76ers to their last NBA Finals. Iverson himself launched it, touring metro Detroit dispensaries on release weekend.
Allen Iverson's MVP year, grown in Detroit
Viola released Iverson '01 exclusively in Michigan on March 22, 2022. The launch covered packaged flower and pre-rolls, cultivated locally and sold through dispensaries across the state. It formed part of a multi-year partnership between Viola and Iverson.
Iverson made the rounds in person that weekend. On Friday he stopped at Bazonzoes in Walled Lake, 3Fifteen Cannabis in Hamtramck and Herbology in River Rouge. Saturday brought visits to Skymint in Hazel Park and Liv in Ferndale. His message at launch was simple: everything he does is for the fans.
F1 Durban, Gushers and Runtz in one cross
Viola lists the genetics as F1 Durban × Gushers × Runtz. F1 Durban leads the formula, with Gushers and Runtz filling out the fruit-heavy side of the cross.
Runtz came out of Cookies Fam as a cross of Zkittlez and Gelato, and the Runtz crew led by Yung LB of Long Beach pushed it into wide circulation. Leafly named Runtz its Strain of the Year in 2020, two years before Iverson '01 reached Michigan shelves.
In the jar, Viola describes super frosty buds with dark shades of purple. The flavor runs through flowers, pine, orange and hops. Viola pitches the high as euphoric, with a balanced split between head and body.
The second release in Viola's Iverson collection
Iverson '01 is the second chapter of a line built around years that defined Iverson's career. The first, Iverson '96, is named for the year Iverson entered the NBA through the draft. It crosses Secret Kush Mints with Grape Stomper and, like its follow-up, is an indica-dominant strain grown at Viola Cultivation in Detroit.
The two releases share a grow room and a naming format but not a parent. Iverson '96 draws on Kush Mints and Grape Stomper, while Iverson '01 moves to Durban, Gushers and Runtz. Both came out as limited drops, with '01 arriving in a March release.
Pennsylvania launch with RISE
In August 2023, Iverson '01 crossed state lines into Pennsylvania, the home of Iverson's 76ers. The strain launched exclusively at RISE dispensaries before moving to other shops in the state. An eighth sold for $45 at launch.
RISE ran 18 locations in Pennsylvania, including three near Philadelphia: a new Port Richmond store on Aramingo Avenue, King of Prussia and Warminster. Iverson and Harrington marked the release with a meet-and-greet at the Port Richmond store on September 2, 2023.
Viola behind the brand
Harrington founded Viola in 2011 and named it after his grandmother. The company is headquartered in Detroit and is a Black-owned cannabis producer and licensed reseller. By the Michigan launch of Iverson '01, it operated across five U.S. states and Canada.
That footprint let a Detroit-grown strain become a two-state release within 18 months. Iverson '01 ties a basketball milestone to a working Michigan grow, with Hall of Famer Iverson and former player Harrington fronting the release together.