Captain of Reign FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, Megan Anna Rapinoe, is one many athletes who are not shy about using cannabis.

The 34-year-old, who assumes the position of winger when she’s on the pitch, recently bagged the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award. Rapinoe also scooped the title of “Women’s World Cup champion” twice and she has even won an Olympic gold medal for her sporting efforts.

A gay and feminist icon, she is no stranger to speaking her mind. During the previous World Cup, Rapinoe drew urgency to the importance of equal pay rights. She has also campaigned aggressively for LGBTQAI+ rights activism, but her most recent form of activism is quite different; she is getting involved in the cannabis industry. 

Megan Rapinoe on CBD: Female soccer player receives sponsorship from Mendi

Aside from being a renowned athlete, Rapinoe is also the CEO and co-founder of a CBD company called Mendi. She runs the company in collaboration with her twin sister, Rachel Rapinoe. The brand is “designed with athletes in mind,” according to the website. 

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

Rapinoe is sponsored by her sister’s CBD company. Other well-known athletes are expected to sign up for Mendi’s ambassador program in the near future. 

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

Megan Rapinoe has strong views on cannabis and feminism

Sports professional Rapinoe is making a stand by getting involved in the cannabis industry alongside his sister. She says that all industries require better overall female representation; particularly ‘green’ industries. According to Rapinoe, “the lion’s-share of investment is usually made by men” in the nascent cannabis and hemp industries, which she says is dominated by male-run operations. 

“If this is an industry that is really going to serve everyone, then everyone needs to have a seat at the table,” added Rapinoe, who is confident that her and her twin sister’s company Mendi will raise awareness for things such as equal pay, diversity, inclusion, equality and workplace justice for females. The soccer star made a point of noting that the Mendi brand will strive to increase awareness about CBD’s therapeutic benefits for athletes, as well as push for cannabis legalization across the U.S. map.

“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 explained. “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.”

Included in the company’s product range are an assortment of CBD gel capsules, vegan CBD gummies and all-natural topical CBD solutions, including Mendi’s 500 mg salve sticks. THC-free, Mendi’s CBD products are sourced from USA-based hemp cultivators, and are third-party tested to ensure the safety and efficacy of use for athletes.

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

You can view Mendi’s full product range by clicking here.