It is no longer news that CBD (cannabidiol) helps with recovery from sports injuries and that many athletes are ambassadors or have launched their own cannabis brands. In Portugal, the first star to have his own CBD brand is former footballer Luís Figo, who launched the LF CBD, after having experienced the benefits of this cannabinoid. “Natural CBD-based products helped me get great results during difficult times of pain and long injuries. The positive effects from using these products were incredible. It improved my self-confidence and my anxiety levels!”
All over the world, there are several athletes who have established themselves as users of products derived from cannabis. Luís Figo, former captain of the Portuguese national team claimed to have used cannabis-derived products during his sporting career, having obtained these positive results. Luis Figo makes his debut in the cannabis market with the LF CBD, demonstrating above all that the athletes of the king sport are aware of the reality and benefits of cannabis. In February 2021, the British player, David Beckham also invested in a CBD cosmetics company.
On Luis Figo's page, the former player leaves a personal note to visitors, "after testing all the products, I would like to invite you to check the link in my bio and try them", you can read on Instagram of Luis Figo! “Made in 🇪🇺EU with 100% organic Swiss-grown hemp. Vegan-Friendly. Free of GMOs, gluten, harsh chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals and other harmful ingredients.
In another post, Luís Figo says that “a common concern shared by many people who want to try CBD oil for the first time is whether the product could harm them or cause any kind of unwanted addiction”. The former player then explains that his products, “because they contain less than 0,03% THC, do not have this type of effect”.
From Football to CBD
Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo was born in 1972 in Lisbon and was considered the best player in the world by FIFA in 2001. With a professional career spanning more than 20 years in clubs in Portugal, Spain and Italy, Figo represented the Portuguese national team 127 times and is included in the top FIFA 100. Figo is the second Portuguese player with the most appearances for the national team, behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
He won the Ballon d'Or in 2000 and was made an Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique in 2004, before retiring from football in 2009. Figo is now president and creator of the Luís Figo Foundation, which has several football academies in Portugal. and in other countries, to help children in need. Figo also holds the position of president of the “Conselho das Quinas de Ouro”, of the Portuguese Football Federation, a body that nominates and rewards the Portuguese with the best performance in football, futsal and beach football.
CBD Legislation in Portugal
Under Portuguese law, CBD is considered a medicine and can only be sold with an authorization from Infarmed. The National Medicines Authority even issued a circular reiterating that CBD in cosmetics is prohibited. However, the rules applied to the hemp and CBD market have been quite contested in Portugal, with courts to give reason to hemp farmers industrial and merchants of CBD. The rules applied to CBD vary from country to country in Europe and a lack of uniformity in the law has made it difficult to understand for the development of a common cannabis market at European level.
But where will Luís Figo's CBD come from? In the Terms and Conditions of the page that sells CBD products, it is mentioned that they will be sent by Grupo A4, a company based in Poland and member of the EIHA – European Industrial Hemp Association consortium, with approval of CBD as a new food. On the label of Figo products you can read “Swiss Quality” and “Novel Foods”.
In the case of Switzerland, where Luís Figo's CBD will come from, the use of CBD is widespread, to the point where CBD cigarettes are sold at Lidl. Switzerland has also advanced with several pilot projects to legalize adult cannabis use in several cities across the country.
Cannareporter has tried to contact Luís Figo, but has not yet received a response.