Megan Rapinoe On Cannabis: 'We Will Fight For The Legalization Of CBD Everywhere'

It is true that many, many professional athletes are involved in social causes and charities. But few, like Colin Kaepernick, engage to a level that puts their own comfort and career at risk.

One such person is Megan Rapinoe: Olympic gold medalist, two-time Women's World Cup champion, and 2019 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.

Beyond her massive professional success, Megan is a feminist icon, an idol to many. In recent times she’s become one of the faces of the equal pay movement, speaking up profusely on the issue in relation to the U.S. women’s soccer team during the last World Cup, capturing the attention of millions.

Megan is also a gay icon. Her activism for LGBTQAI+ rights has earned her accolades, awards, support, and rejection all over the globe.

Being no stranger to advocacy and controversy, Megan took yet another bold step in 2019, getting involved with a cannabis company. Since then, the famed athlete has been sponsored by Mendi, a company focused on making CBD sports recovery products for athletes. Other big-name athletes like WNBA all-star Nneka Ogwumike and Sue Bird are also part of the Mendi family.

“I wanted a healthier, more natural option for pain management, sleep aid, relaxation while flying, and general recovery.”

Megan’s sister and Mendi’s CEO, Rachael Rapinoe, said that CBD has been central to both her and her sister’s training and recovery – for a few years. 

“I wanted a healthier, more natural option for pain management, sleep aid, relaxation while flying, and general recovery,” Megan said during an exclusive chat on Friday. “Mendi’s mission really stuck with me. The desire to serve the athletes and be our trusted brand, but also their commitment to a healthier lifestyle, and changing the status quo around pain management and sports.”

An Issue Of Rights

Being an activist for women’s rights, minorities’ rights, the LGBTQAI+ community’s rights, and people’s rights in general, it’s no wonder Megan sees cannabis and the movement around it as an issue of rights too.

But, are cannabis and women’s rights connected? Is the cannabis movement helping further women’s rights?

For her, “every single industry” needs more female representation. And this holds especially true to emerging markets, like cannabis and hemp, “where the lions-share of investment is usually made by men,” and thus, directed into male-led companies.

“If this is an industry that is really going to serve everyone, then everyone needs to have a seat at the table,” Megan voiced.

“If this is an industry that is really going to serve everyone, then everyone needs to have a seat at the table.”

In fact, Mendi assures that, as a company, it is very committed to many of the same causes Megan is. “As an advocate for equal pay and inclusion, Megan wants this partnership to raise awareness of implementing diversity, inclusion, equal pay, equality, and justice into our communities and workplaces,” a company spokesperson said.

See Also: Rachael Rapinoe Talks Cannabis, Entrepreneurship And Personal Motivations

But what does that really mean? How does the company plan to “raise awareness of implementing diversity, inclusion, equal pay, equality, and justice into our communities and workplaces”? Are there any initiatives in the works?

“It is no secret that many people have spent years in jail for cannabis, of those people a disproportionate percentage are people of color. We will use this company and our platform to raise awareness and fight for the legalization of CBD and Cannabis everywhere.”

“As a company, we want to ensure that at Mendi we have diverse representation in our workforce, good working conditions with our partners, and use Mendi to educate the general public about CBD and cannabis use,” Megan responded. “It is no secret that many people have spent years in jail for cannabis, of those people a disproportionate percentage are people of color. We will use this company and our platform to raise awareness and fight for the legalization of CBD and Cannabis everywhere.”

Adding to her sister’s comments, Rachael said, “By partnering with Mendi, we have the opportunity to work with Megan to make a difference and walk the walk… We’re not waiting for equal pay. We’re taking a proactive role to do something about it by starting a new business that cares for the athlete’s best interest.”

Get The Ball Rolling

While CBD has become super popular among former professional athletes who retired from sports like (American) football, basketball or mixed martial arts, it does not seem to have really caught on in the soccer world.

See Also: Megan Rapinoe: An Advocate Of All Things Progressive

So, why is it that soccer players are not really into CBD? Or is it possible that they are into CBD, but also discreet about it?

“I think there is still a lot of stigma around the use of CBD and cannabis in soccer,” Megan responded. “There needs to be greater education so athletes can make an informed decision.”

“We are also subject to the USADA testing pool, and fear of a failed test is worrisome for many players,” she concluded.

Mendi’s products are built by athletes, for athletes. Their product-up currently includes hemp-derived CBD gel capsules with a 25 mg dose of CBD; hemp-derived all-natural, vegan gummies with a 25mg dose of CBD; and hemp-derived all-natural salve sticks with 500 mg of CBD. All of their products are naturally sourced, USA grown, third-party tested, THC free, athlete built and athlete approved.

A Spanish-language version of this article can be found on El Planteo: Hablamos con la Futbolista Megan Rapinoe sobre Cannabis y Feminismo

This article was originally published on Forbes on Oct 20, 2019, and appears here with permission.

Photo: Jamie Smed, via WikiMedia Commons.