OP6 CBD: Redefining Athletic Recovery Without Pharmaceuticals

[image: Craig Zaffe and Reggie Grant of OP6CBD]

For our latest Q&A interview, we connected with the people behind OP6 CBD,
a wellness-focused CBD topicals manufacturer whose high-potency products
are geared toward athletic recovery and everyday mobility. Craig Zaffe, a
longtime independent medical cannabis grower from New York, partnered with
retired NFL player Reggie Grant to grow OP6 in 2022. Together, they set out
to deliver high-quality topicals for athletes and anyone suffering from
aches and pains. Their flagship products are two CBD-rich sports creams: a
“warming” cream for when you’re moving, and a menthol “cooling” cream for
when you’re in recovery. All of OP6’s products are manufactured in an
FDA-licensed, GMP-certified facility.

In this Q&A, Craig and Reggie joined us to discuss how they wound up
developing their vision into a tangible product, as well as how they
approach manufacturing standards, the importance of community engagement
and education, and how CBD topicals are entering recovery conversations
across traditional wellness markets and professional sports networks.
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Read the interview:

*Craig, after growing medical cannabis for decades, what originally
inspired you to launch Hemp for Life Wellness and develop the OP6 CBD line?*
*Craig:* I’ve been cultivating medical cannabis since 1988 to help family
and friends manage health conditions. Over time, I realized THC wasn’t
right for everyone, but CBD offered benefits that could support almost
anyone. That realization inspired me to launch Hemp for Life Wellness—doing
business as OP6 CBD—to make CBD products accessible on a larger scale.

*What was your initial vision for the company, and how has it evolved since
you got started?*
*Craig:* My vision from the beginning was to educate people about cannabis
as one of the most beneficial plants on the planet. Cannabis has over
25,000 uses and interacts directly with our endocannabinoid system to
regulate balance in the body. By incorporating cannabis into our lives, we
can improve our health while also helping the planet. Education remains
central—when people understand how the plant works, they’re empowered to
take charge of their own wellness.

*Reggie, when did you first discover CBD, and how has it impacted your life
personally?*
*Reggie:* I first learned about CBD at a Jets Alumni Reunion in August
2022, where Craig was giving a seminar. He shared samples of OP6 CBD Sports
Cream, and I was amazed at how quickly it relieved my pain and
inflammation. The very next day, I reached out to him about working
together.

*For professional football players and athletes of all kinds, recovery is
critical. If the NFL and other leagues were to embrace CBD, how much of a
difference could it make?*
*Reggie:* It would be a game-changer. CBD can help reduce pain and
inflammation without the side effects that come with prescription pain
medications. If leagues like the NFL adopted it, athletes could extend
their careers and improve their overall quality of life.

*How do you approach quality assurance and sourcing when it comes to the
CBD and other ingredients in OP6 products?*
*Craig:* Our Sports Cream is manufactured in an FDA-licensed, GMP-compliant
facility, with 1,200 mg of CBD per jar. We offer both Warm and Cool
formulas, using FDA-approved ingredients like menthol, magnesium sulfate,
magnesium chloride, hemp seed oil, CBD isolate, and a proprietary blend of
terpenes. Every batch is independently lab tested to confirm purity and
ensure it’s free of pesticides, fungi, and heavy metals.

*Reggie, how did the partnership with the Retired NFL Players Congress come
together, and what does it mean for OP6 moving forward?*
*Reggie:* I’ve been involved with the Retired Players Congress for years.
After I started using OP6 CBD, I shared it with fellow players Bob Grant
and Ron Brown, who were impressed with the results. That led the Congress
to make OP6 CBD its official wellness provider, which helps us reach more
retired athletes who can benefit from our products.

*The next question is for Craig. Looking back to the grassroots
pre-legalization days, what lessons would you say still hold true in
today’s cannabis economy?*
*Craig:* The most important lesson is to let the science speak for the
plant and to keep educating people. Even our own government holds a patent
recognizing cannabis’ neuroprotective properties. The more we can ground
this industry in science, the stronger it will be.

*How important is community involvement in building a wellness brand, and
how does OP6 engage locally?*
*Craig:* Community engagement is vital. We’re members of the Long Island
Cannabis Coalition, we host educational seminars at dispensaries, and we
recently spoke with a senior citizens group. We’ve also been featured in *HoneySuckle
Magazine*, Channel 12 News, and *Newsday*. Showing up and having real
conversations is the best way to connect.

*How do you define success—not just for OP6 as a business, but as wellness
advocates?*
*Craig:* Success is more than profit. It’s about helping people live
healthier lives and giving them the information they need to reduce
reliance on pharmaceuticals. We want people to feel empowered to make
cannabis part of their lifestyle.
*Reggie:* I’d add that success also comes from surrounding yourself with
people who bring value and being in the room to have those conversations.
That’s how both sports and business move forward.

*If someone discovers OP6 CBD for the first time today, what’s the one
thing you’d want them to take away from the experience?*
*Craig:* Most first-time users are amazed at how quickly they feel relief
from pain and discomfort. That immediate effect is what we want them to
remember—the experience of finding a natural solution that truly works.
*Reggie:* For me, it’s about trust. As an athlete who relied on my body for
a career, I want people to know these products are safe, reliable, and
built to make a difference in everyday life.
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*Thank you Craig and Reggie for sharing your insights! To learn more about
OP6CBD, visit their website.*