OP6 CBD: Redefining Athletic Recovery Without Pharmaceuticals
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.
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.
Thank you Craig and Reggie for sharing your insights! To learn more about OP6CBD, visit their website.