The Mount Rushmore of CBD Celebs, Athletes, Actors & Musicians
CBD has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. In fact, it became the number one best-selling natural herbal ingredient in 2019 and is on pace to have a stellar 2020 decade. Just like CBD use has risen to new heights among ‘normal people', it has also risen among celebrities and famous influencers in all industries and markets.
Some of Hollywood’s biggest movie actors and film stars use CBD. Many professional athletes who play basketball, football, golf, baseball, hockey and fight in the MMA world have been outspoken about their support of CBD for pain relief and muscle recovery. Musicians have mentioned how much they love CBD.
Seth Rogen. Kim Kardashian. Rob Gronkowski. Jennifer Aniston. Nate and Nick Diaz. Morgan Freeman. These are just a few of the names that have been connected to CBD in recent years. Actually, when digging around the Internet, there's well over fifty house-hold name A-listers that have shown hemp-derived cannabidiol-infused supplementation support in some shape or form via social media and mainstream press.
Today, let's curate an ultimate 2020 list to highlight some of the best-known celebrity CBD users. Each CBD celeb will break down their name, claim to fame and level of game (company endorsement or own product line etc) involvement. There is also an attempt to capture the essence via direct quotes and/or social media mentions to see each celebrities CBD associations no matter whether they prefer gummies, skincare, creams, capsules, energy drinks or subscription boxes.
Contents
Celebrities & Public Figures Using CBD
Kim Kardashian
Claim to Fame: Public Figure / Social Media
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “That’s not my thing. I got into CBD a few months ago. It’s saved my life. Even to sleep at night. I like the gummies. I will just use a little bit and fall asleep [laughs]. I don’t think I would ever take a Xanax or an Ambien again.” – People.
Kim Kardashian made headlines across the CBD industry in a big way in summer 2019 when she revealed she hosted a CBD baby shower for her and Kanye West’s fourth child, Psalm. Kim Kardashian’s baby shower featured CBD chocolates, oils, lotions, face masks, and other products. Guests reportedly loved it – but what else are you going to say after getting invited to Kim K’s baby shower? Kim Kardashian has no known affiliations with any CBD companies, nor has she endorsed any CBD brand.
Montel Williams
Claim to Fame: Daytime Television Host
Quote About CBD: “We've got a lot of ‘garage scientists' in the industry, who are well-meaning people–I don't think anyone gets up in the morning, goes to the garage, and thinks they’ll make something poisonous that could hurt people. But some are misled, some don't do the research, and some don’t understand how long it’s taken to get here, and just work from bits and pieces of the extant literature. If you looked at how some of these products are processed, you would not give it to your mother or your child. So why do we call it medicine?” – Forbes.
CBD Company Associations: Lenitiv Scientific
Montel Williams is not just a celebrity fan of CBD: he’s a major player in the CBD space. Montel Williams launched Lenitiv Scientific in 2016. Montel reportedly invested millions in the cannabis startup company, which offers lab-tested products in a market crowded with junk goods, including medical marijuana products to patients in California. Montel Williams is also a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) survivor, and a recent press release described him as “one of the highest-profile medical cannabis patients in the United States”. Today, Lenitiv emphasizes high-quality CBD and THC formulas to maximize therapeutic effects.
Martha Stewart
Claim to Fame: TV Personality and Businesswoman
CBD Company Associations: Canopy Growth Corp.
Quote About CBD: “I am delighted to establish this partnership with Canopy Growth and share with them the knowledge I have gained after years of experience in the subject of living. I’m especially looking forward to our first collaboration together, which will offer sensible products for people’s beloved pets.” – Forbes.
“I've used various (CBD) creams and patches to try to see if it makes any difference for an aching tendon. They seem to sometimes be really effective. It's not like medicine to me. It's more like an additive to a daily routine.” – Martha Stewart, World Cannabis Congress in June 2019.
Martha Stewart has entered into a partnership with Canopy Growth Corp., one of Canada’s biggest weed corporations, to launch a lineup of CBD products for people and animals. The CBD products will be launched through Martha Stewart’s parent company, Sequential Brands Group and distributed by Canopy Growth. Clearly, Martha was inspired to launch CBD after spending all that time with Snoop Dogg. Moving forward, Martha Stewart seems to be trying to distance herself from the cannabis space (to avoid legal issues) while focusing on the legal CBD market. She has also gone on record about the effectiveness of CBD products, claiming they “seem to sometimes be really effective”.
Actors Using CBD
Seth Rogen
Claim to Fame: Actor / Comedian
CBD Company Associations: Houseplant
Quote About CBD: “We want consumers to understand cannabis on a deeper level so that they can truly have the best experience possible.” – Forbes.
Do we really need to say anything else about Seth Rogen’s love of cannabis that hasn’t already been said? He’s probably the first name you thought of when you read the headline for this article. Seth Rogen is an outspoken advocate of cannabis, THC, and CBD. The Canadian actor and comedian has been passionate about his support for the legalization of cannabis nationwide. However, Rogen is particularly interested in the legalization of CBD for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Rogen’s mother-in-law, Adele Miller, had an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and he saw how terrible the disease could be. In 2014, Rogen appeared before U.S. Congress to advocate further research into the medical benefits of THC and CBD. In 2019, Rogen teamed up with Evan Goldberg to launch a Canada-based marijuana company called Houseplant. The company currently sells beautifully-packaged sativa, indica, and hybrid flowers throughout Canada, although an American launch and CBD product launch may occur in the near future.
Morgan Freeman
Claim to Fame: Actor
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “Marijuana has many useful uses. I have fibromyalgia pain in this arm, and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana. They’re talking about kids who have grand mal seizures, and they’ve discovered that marijuana eases that down to where these children can have a life. That right there, to me, says, ‘Legalize it across the board!” – The Daily Beast.
Morgan Freeman allegedly uses CBD and THC to manage chronic pain. Freeman has been outspoken about his support for cannabis since enduring a near-fatal car accident in 2008. After recovering from the accident, Freeman developed fibromyalgia. He decided to use plant medicine – including CBD and THC – to manage his intense pain and discomfort.
Whoopi Goldberg
Claim to Fame: Actress / Talk Show Host
CBD Company Associations: Whoopi & Maya
Quote About CBD: “Several years ago I gave up smoking cigarettes, and unfortunately that included rolled weed. Afterwards, my discomfort from glaucoma resurfaced. Then something important happened to me. My daughter gave me my first vape pen, and I began to see marijuana as the medicine it is.” – The Orange County Register.
Whoopi Goldberg is an actress, comedian, and talk show host of The View. She is also an outspoken cannabis advocate. Whoopi has publicly announced support for CBD as a health supplement. She particularly supports the use of CBD among middle-aged women. She has mentioned using CBD to relieve menstrual cramps, nerve pain, and menopausal discomfort, for example. Whoopi also claims to use a vape pen regularly to treat stress, pain, glaucoma, and menstrual cramps. In 2016, Whoopi Goldberg teamed up with award-winning edibles maker Maya Elisabeth to launch a cannabis company Whoopi & Maya.
Tom Hanks
Claim to Fame: Actor
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: N/A
Tom Hanks does not endorse any type of CBD product, and the actor has not publicly supported CBD in any way, shape, or form. However, Tom Hanks made headlines in January 2020 after a series of fake advertisements appeared online that showed Hanks endorsing CBD. In the fake quote, Hanks praised Doctor Oz for making incredible advances in the CBD industry. The hoax became so widespread that Tom Hanks was eventually forced to make a statement to his 6.3 million Instagram followers.
Jennifer Aniston
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “CBD helps with pain, stress and anxiety. It has all the benefits of marijuana without the high.” – Us Magazine.
Jennifer Aniston claims to use CBD to help her cope with anxiety and stress. Aniston hasn’t given any additional information about what type of CBD products she uses or how she uses them. However, the statement to Us Weekly posted above is as big of an endorsement as a celebrity can provide for CBD.
Leighton Meester
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I use CBD [cannabidiol] balm to try to reduce the stress and tension in my shoulders and hands…When you buy a natural product, you can read the ingredients-everything is natural or organic, and you can find those yourself. There are amazing products out there that can be $20 or $30, which you can make for less than a dollar.” – Shape.
Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester explained in an interview with Shape in April 2019 that she uses CBD balm to keep herself “centered and rejuvenated” as a busy, working mom. Meester reportedly takes CBD balm along with her morning tea, relaxing baths, and foam rolling, claiming it reduces the stress in her shoulders and hands. Meester is also a big fan of making her own bath salts, scrubs, lotions, and soaps, claiming that anyone can use ordinary ingredients to make fantastic products at home.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: Goop
Quote About CBD: “I love this subject [cannabis]. It really has the potential to shift old patterns of thought and change lives, and I feel like we really could be on the precipice of something a lot bigger than we realize, scientifically.” – Gwyneth Paltrow at the In Goop Health conference in Los Angeles in June 2018.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop, has grown into a giant in the wellness space. Goop emphasizes alternative advice for non-traditional healing, including high-priced detox diets, $200 smoothies, and seriously, putting jade eggs in your vagina to “balance hormones”. Goop has also sought to normalize CBD, recommending things like CBD-infused cocktails and CBD bath bombs. The organization has also written useful guides on CBD – including an overview of one first-timer’s experience using CBD products. Overall, Paltrow and the team at Goop has been dedicated to promoting CBD as a wellness and beauty product ingredient.
Mandy Moore
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “This year I’m trying some CBD oil on my feet, which my stylist recommended. I asked her if there was some kind of numbing cream, and she was like ‘No! [Try] Lord Jones CBD Oil.’ So it could be a really exciting evening! I could be floating this year.” – Coveteur.
This Is Us star Mandy Moore purportedly uses CBD to soothe her aching feet. In an interview with The Coveteur, Mandy Moore even listed the specific CBD oil she planned to use before attending the Golden Globes in 2018: Lord Jones CBD Oil. Moore never followed up with a detailed review of how the CBD oil performed during the big night, although she was praised for looking stunning in an all-black gown.
Emma Roberts
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: N/A
In an Instagram story posted on January 2, 2019, Emma Roberts revealed that she uses Mazz Hanna CBD bath tonic. The CBD product reportedly helps Roberts soothe her entire body. What’s even more significant is that Roberts specifically claimed that this wasn’t an ad, writing “#notanad” on the Instagram post. Roberts just genuinely loves the CBD bath tonic. Mazz Hanna is a celebrity manicurist who has added CBD to a variety of her products. Hanna claims CBD has brought her immense relief after using it to combat long-term pain from a car accident.
Olivia Wilde
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “Another thing I’m a huge believer in, in terms of body care: I’ve been using this body lotion that has CBD from marijuana. It’s called Lord Jones, and I discovered it through my friends in L.A. Recently I did a play on Broadway for six months, and my body was wrecked. My neck was really tight. The CBD has relaxing benefits, and the idea is to avoid using too many painkillers.” – The New York Times.
Olivia Wilde endorsed CBD during a recent interview with the New York Times. Just like Mandy Moore, Olivia Wilde specifically mentioned Lord Jones CBD lotion. Wilde claims she has been using the lotion regularly. She found the lotion especially useful after doing a play on Broadway for six months. The play wrecked her body completely and made her neck tight, but the Lord Jones CBD lotion helped her relax and allowed her to avoid conventional painkillers.
Michael J. Fox
Claim to Fame: Actor
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “The MJFF supports increased access to cannabis for medical research. Congress has begun to recognize this need, and there are several bills in the U.S. House and Senate designed to remove barriers that impede safe and legal access to cannabis by medical researchers. The MJFF public policy team is tracking these bills and working to educate members of Congress and their staff on their importance to the Parkinson’s community.” – The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Back to the Future actor Michael J. Fox has used cannabis to counteract the effects of Parkinson’s disease. He claims his cannabis-based treatment program began soon after he was diagnosed. Today, Michael J. Fox also seems to advocate for more CBD research through the official website for The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MichaelJFox.org). This article published in 2019, for example, describes how CBD “doesn’t cause mind-altering effects and could potentially have beneficial effects for treating disease.” That same foundation urged Congress last year to pass three cannabis-based research bills. There have been several studies on CBD and Parkinson’s disease. Numerous sources online claim that Michael J. Fox uses cannabis and CBD for Parkinson’s disease.
Kristen Bell
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “This was a huge game changer. A few months ago, my back started hurting for some unbeknownst reason. It had been bothering me for about two weeks. My friend came over for dinner and I was complaining about my back and she ran to her purse and pulled out this CBD cream. I was very skeptical at first. I had already done some research on CBD, so I knew it was safe, but I thought, there’s no way this is actually going to help. But I’m a very good co-dependent, so I put it on my back and honestly, 5 minutes after I did, I already felt 85 percent better. I am completely sold. Now, I’m giving it out left and right, practically to strangers on the street. Everyone deserves to feel 100 percent.” – The Strategist at NYMag.com.
When asked about products she can’t live without, actress Kristen Bell picked Lord Jones High CBD Body Lotion, describing it as “a huge game-changer”. Bell started using the CBD lotion to treat chronic pain. A friend recommended a CBD cream. Bell was skeptical but did some research. She decided to apply it. Within five minutes, she already felt 85% better. Now, she’s “completely sold” and recommends CBD lotion to her friends.
Dakota Johnson
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I try to knock myself out on planes [with sublingual CBD drops]; otherwise my whole world falls apart.” – Elle.
In an interview with Elle, Dakota Johnson revealed she’s a big fan of applying CBD drops underneath her tongue to help fall asleep during travel. Elle described Johnson as “devoted to using sublingual CBD drops to summon sleep”. Dakota Johnson is best known for playing the lead role, Anastasia Steele, in Fifty Shades of Grey and the subsequent sequels.
Jack Nicholson
Claim to Fame: Actor
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I don’t tend to say this publicly, but we can see it’s a curative thing. The narcotics industry is also enormous. It funds terrorism and – this is a huge problem in America – fuels the foreign gangs. More than 85 per cent of men incarcerated in America are on drug-related offenses. It costs $40,000 a year for every prisoner. If they were really serious about the economy there would be a sensible discussion about legalisation.” – Daily Mail.
Academy Award-winning Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson has been outspoken about his support for CBD and marijuana legalization. Nicholson seems to take particular issue with the illegal narcotics industry and sees legalization as a way to combat the issue. Nicholson maintains that he still smokes pot. In fact, after decades of hard partying in Hollywood, Nicholson exclusively uses pot instead of hard drugs and alcohol.
Busy Philipps
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “My plane is delayed an hour but I took @thelordjones, so it’s OK.” – @busyphilipps on Instagram.
Busy Philipps claims to use CBD edibles to keep herself calm. Like many other celebs on this list, Philipps claims to use Lord Jones products for relief. Philipps specifically prefers the Lord Jones CBD gumdrops ($45) and chocolates ($30). We know Philipps likes these products because she filmed herself eating the products in an Instagram story in January after her flight was delayed.
Minka Kelly
Claim to Fame: Actress
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “New favorite morning chug…Lemon juice, pineapple juice, sea salt, and CBD oh yea.” – @minkakelly Instagram story, as reported by The Cut.
Friday Night Lights actress Minka Kelly posted a story on Instagram in August 2018 featuring a CBD drink. Kelly described the Dirty Lemon x Beboe + CBD Drink as her “new favorite morning chug”. The beverage markets itself as a way to provide euphoria, full-body relaxation, and a clear head.
Cynthia Nixon
Claim to Fame: Actress / Politician
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I think it’s very important that we legalize marijuana in New York State. Eight other states have done it, plus the District of Columbia. There are a lot of reasons to do it, but first and foremost, because it’s a racial-justice issue. People across all ethnic and racial lines use marijuana at roughly the same rate, but the arrests for marijuana are 80 percent black and Latino.” – Cynthia Nixon at the New York Democratic Gubernatorial Debate, August 2018.
Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon has been outspoken about the benefits of marijuana. Nixon’s views on marijuana came to the forefront during the 2018 New York gubernatorial election, when Nixon was preparing to run a progressive challenge to the incumbent governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo. Nixon claimed marijuana prohibition had done enormous damage to communities across New York. Nixon publicly supported legalization across the state of New York, although she didn’t specifically claim to consume marijuana or CBD herself.
Athletes Using CBD
Mike Tyson
Claim to Fame: Former Professional Boxer
CBD Company Associations: Tyson Ranch / The Ranch Companies
Quote About CBD: “What do we smoke a month? Is it $40,000 a month? Yeah, $40,000 a month. That’s 40 grand. Ain’t that crazy?” – Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has jumped into the CBD space in a big way by launching Tyson Ranch, a pot farm located in California City, approximately 50 miles outside of Los Angeles. Tyson is using the cannabis farm to control every stage of production while making high-quality cannabis products. He also claims he smokes $40,000 worth of cannabis at the ranch every month. As of January 2020, Tyson Ranch is not selling products to consumers over the internet. However, you can find Tyson Ranch products at certain dispensaries in California. Meanwhile, CBD beverages like DWiiNK, with 10mg of CBD per serving, are scheduled to be launched in the near future. Oh, and did we mention Mike Tyson had his winning TKO decision in 2000 changed to a “no contest” after testing positive for cannabis?
Rob Gronkowski
Claim to Fame: Retired NFL Player
CBD Company Associations: CBDMedic
Quote About CBD: “These [CBDMedic] products changed my life. I wish I had been able to use CBDMEDIC while I was playing. It would have made a huge difference in my pain management during my career and I know it can help many others who are looking for safe, pill-free solutions to managing pain.” – CBDMedic website.
Rob Gronkowski is a huge supporter of CBD. Since retiring in 2019, Gronkowski has partnered with a CBD company, CBDMedic. Gronkowski claims CBDMedic’s products changed his life. He has also stated that he wished these types of products had been available during his career. Gronkowski heard about CBDMedic’s products through his father: his father used the company’s CBD topical cream for back pain. Gronkowski applied the cream to a few bruised toes he suffered during an offseason game of pickup soccer. Now, he’s a huge CBD fan.
Steve Kerr
Claim to Fame: NBA Coach
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I think the league should look into the use of medicinal marijuana for pain relief,” Kerr said. “As far as recreational, I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about pain relief, what’s best for our players health. That’s what should be in the CBA. And that’s what our owners and our league and our player’s union should be the most concerned with.” – Mercury News.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been a vocal advocate for medical marijuana since 2016. He has publicly expressed his support for medical marijuana for pain relief, claiming it’s better than using prescription drugs like Vicodin, OxyContin, or Percocet. In that same interview, Kerr claimed it was only “a matter of time” before major sports organizations allow widespread use of CBD and cannabis for pain relief. In the same interview, Kerr revealed that he had used marijuana for pain relief over the past 18 months.
Steve Kerr explains his surprise that his marijuana use became a big deal, hopes dangers of pain-killers become the story (pt 1) pic.twitter.com/mOqVlUdX2r
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 4, 2016
Nate Diaz
Claim to Fame: UFC Fighter
CBD Company Associations: GameUp Nutrition
Quote About CBD: “It’s CBD. It helps with the healing process and inflammation., stuff like that. So, you want to get these before and after the fights and training. It’ll make your life a better place.”
Nate Diaz gave a great advertisement for CBD by using a CBD vape pen in front of reporters during a post-fight interview. When asked what he was vaping, Diaz responded that it was CBD that “helps with the healing process and inflammation”. Nate Diaz is one of the best-known cannabis advocates in mixed martial arts. The CBD vape pen situation took place at UFC 202 in 2016. The USADA later claimed that Nate Diaz violated rules by consuming cannabidiol within four hours of the fight. However, he was not sanctioned because CBD is not considered a performance-enhancing drug (PED), and USADA lifted CBD from the banned substance list shortly after. In 2019, Nate Diaz founded CBD company GameUp Nutrition with his brother, Nick Diaz.
Nick Diaz
Claim to Fame: UFC Fighter
CBD Company Associations: GameUp Nutrition
Quote About CBD: “I can pass a drug test in eight days with herbal cleansers. I drink 10lbs of water and sweat out 10lbs of water every day. I’ll be fine.”
Nate Diaz’s older brother, Nick Diaz, is also an outspoken advocate of marijuana. In 2015, Nick Diaz was banned from the UFC for five years (and fined $165,000) for failing multiple drug tests due to cannabis usage. He tested positive for marijuana after his headlining bout against Anderson Silva in January 2015. That suspension was later reduced, and Diaz later accepted a one-year suspension from the USADA for missing three out-of-competition drug tests in a 12-month span, becoming the first athlete to record that violation under the UFC’s program. Diaz has been eligible to resume his fighting career since April 2018. In 2019, Nick Diaz founded CBD company GameUp Nutrition with his brother, Nate Diaz.
Nick Diaz suspended for 5 years for marijuana. Absurd how they got to that. This is a dark day for combat sports.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 14, 2015
Megan Rapinoe
Claim to Fame: Soccer Player
CBD Company Associations: Mendi
Quote About CBD: “CBD is a natural alternative that has helped me stay at the top of my game for several years now, whether that be regulating my sleep, relaxing on long flights, helping with inflammation, or recovering after hard trainings and games. Bottom line, it’s natural, and I don’t want to be filling my body with chemicals. I eat clean and train hard, so I want my recovery process to be as natural as possible.” – Green Entrepreneur.
Megan Rapinoe became a household name in summer 2019 after leading Team USA to a gold medal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 2x gold medalist, Golden Boot winner, and Golden Ball winner is also a big CBD fan. Megan Rapinoe recently partnered with Mendi as a board advisor, strategic partner, and athlete ambassador. Mendi is a new CBD company offering edibles, gel capsules, and topicals. Products are specifically marketed towards athletes trying to recover and relieve post-game pain.
Paul “BizNasty” Bissonnette
Claim to Fame: Retired NHL Player
CBD Company Associations: CaniBrands
Quote About CBD: “For me, I get a little anxiety. Sometimes my mind gets racing, and I feel if I take it in the morning…it levels you off. For those of you who don’t want to use cannabis and just CBD, it helps with that. And you don’t get the high. So it helps with that.” – Paul Bissonnette interview on Midas Letter Live in December 2019.
Former NHL grinder Paul “BizNasty” Bissonnette has been productive since retiring from professional hockey in 2017. In addition to a flourishing social media presence (1.1 million Twitter followers – not a big deal), “BizNasty” co-founded a CBD company called CaniBrands. CaniBrands offers all-natural CBD oils and other products across Canada and the United States. Bissonnette, a former grinder and fighter in multiple professional hockey leagues, is a passionate advocate for CBD, linking it to everything from pain relief to anti-anxiety. Don’t forget to swipe up for a Biz20 promo code.
Bubba Watson
Claim to Fame: Professional Golfer
CBD Company Associations: cbdMD
Quote About CBD: “I’ve personally felt the benefits of cbdMD’s products. cbdMD is the safest on the market and I am proud to partner with them to help millions feel better.” – GolfChannel.com.
“Just because of, I'm getting older. The inflammation in my body, waking up with better sleep. That was the two things I focused on. With a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old at the house, and playing golf all day, I needed some energy fast.” – TheStreet (via ESPN).
In May 2019, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson announced that he was partnering with CBD company cbdMD. Watson now displays the company’s logo on both sides of his head gear at the events. The partnership makes Watson one of the highest-profile athletes to endorse or invest in a CBD-related company. Watson also uses cbdMD’s products, describing them as “safe” and designed “to help millions feel better”. All cbdMD products are 100% organic and have no traces of THC.
Scott McCarron
Claim to Fame: Professional Golfer
CBD Company Associations: Functional Remedies
Quote About CBD: “I think there was a misconception of what it really was, a hemp oil. I think there was a lot of buzz about it, but people weren't really sure. I wasn't really sure what to think of it. But when you find out what's really in it, what isn't in it, that it's natural and that the levels of THC are so minute, I think it's going to continue to take off.” – ESPN.
“You would take Advil like candy sometimes, not knowing the effects or what it could do to your kidney and liver. I hardly take any anti-inflammatories anymore because I don't feel like I need to. That's a huge positive for athletes, because taking a little bit of Advil or Aleve, that's fine, but if you're dependent on it to function every day, that's a problem.” – ESPN.
ESPN wrote a profile about Scott McCarron’s CBD usage in July 2019. ESPN headlined the profile, “Golf’s not-so-secret fascination with CBD oil”. McCarron became interested in CBD in 2018 after trying a bottle of CBD oil pills. He claims that he immediately noticed better sleep habits via his WHOOP sleep tracking system (the same sleep and strain device that MLB, NFL, and Olympic athletes use). He’s been using CBD oil ever since. McCarron has endorsed a CBD company called Functional Remedies, which he has called the “Titleist of CBD oils”.
Ryan VandenBussche
Claim to Fame: Retired NHL Player
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I believe in all of the healing properties of this plant so much that I went out and purchased a 64-acre farm and submitted an application to Health Canada back in 2013.” – Men’s Health.
Ryan VandenBussche is a retired NHL enforcer who heard about CBD through word of mouth. He did his own due diligence, then started using CBD regularly. Over his 14-year professional career, Ryan had a dozen surgeries, multiple broken bones, and over 20 concussions. Team doctors recommended opiates and traditional pain medication. Today, VandenBussche operates his own 64-acre CBD farm in Canada.
David Ahrens
Claim to Fame: Retired NFL Player
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I don’t need pain meds like I used too. Every day on TV there are commercials advertising the next best drug, and the second half of the commercial is all about possible side effects. Well, I have never heard of a side effect from CBD.” – Men’s Health.
Former NFL linebacker David Ahrens was one of 136 former Indianapolis Colts players named in a 2011 concussion lawsuit against the NFL. Ahrens spent years using opioids to manage his chronic pain. In fact, he claims to have “taken more pain pills in that time [his 10-year playing career from 1981 to 1990] than most people have in their lifetime.” Then, he tried CBD.
Riley Cote
Claim to Fame: Retired NHL Player
CBD Company Associations: Athletes for Care
Quote About CBD: “I quickly realized it wasn't just helping with my brain health, but it also added another dimension to my sleep, and its subtle calming nature helped with anxiety.”
Former NHL winger Riley Cote started believing in CBD all the way back in 2012 after reading a book called Hemp For Health. In an interview with Men’s Health, Cote claims the book “opened my eyes to the world of non-intoxicating cannabinoids.” He started using CBD to mitigate and minimize the damage caused to his body from more than 250 hockey fights and found that CBD was “nothing but positive”.
Anthony and Sergio Pettis
Claim to Fame: UFC Fighters
CBD Company Associations: CBDistillery
Quote About CBD: “CBD has become an integral part of my training and post-fight regimen helping my body's natural healing process.” – Anthony Pettis, CBDistillery.
“Rather than relying on potentially damaging non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Tylenol and Advil, I have been turning to CBD and seeing incredible results with no side effects.” – Sergio Pettis, CBDistillery.
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and his brother Sergio “The Phenom Pettis”, #2 in the UFC Flyweight Division, have partnered with CBDistillery while advocating for more widespread CBD usage among athletes. Anthony and Sergio both regularly use CBDistillery products as part of their training regimen, claiming that it reduces inflammation and increases recovery more effectively than traditional painkillers or NSAIDs.
David Wells
Claim to Fame: Former MLB Player
CBD Company Associations:
Quote About CBD: “I’m living proof CBD works…I’m 3.5 years painkiller-free. That’s pretty good.” – The CBD Expert.
Former MLB Player David Wells was severely addicted to Percocet, claiming he spent 75 to 80% of his life under the influence of the heavy-duty painkiller during the peak of his baseball career. Eventually, David Wells switched to using CBD. Today, Wells endorses the Greensticks CBD vaporizer. He claims CBD has “helped cure him from the Demons of the Diamond”, referring to the repetitive use injuries that plague many players, especially pitchers, after they retire from playing. Wells had seven surgeries over a 21-season MLB career with the Blue Jays and Yankees.
Rick Upchurch
Claim to Fame: Retired NFL Player
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “Without a doubt [CBD helped]. Otherwise, I would be in bad shape, I really would.” – The Denver Post.
Former Denver Broncos player Rick Upchurch was diagnosed with leukemia and began chemotherapy in 2011. Rick has been using CBD to help relieve his nausea symptoms related to chemotherapy. With his cancer now relieved, Rick says he continues using CBD because it’s part of his lifestyle. In 2016, The Denver Post did a deep dive into how Upchurch used CBD as an alternative pain reliever. He claims he used marijuana during his playing days to help him sleep and boost his appetite. More recently, Upchurch has started adding a CBD vape pen to his regimen, using the oil to ease the pain and nausea from chemotherapy and to help him sleep.
US Triathlon Team
Claim to Fame: Triathletes
CBD Company Associations: Pure Spectrum
Quote About CBD: “With its athlete-first approach and proven commitment to safety, quality and accuracy, Pure Spectrum is a clear leader in the growing CBD industry. We are partnering with Pure Spectrum to help educate triathletes of all levels about CBD and to provide a fully vetted CBD option.” – Rocky Harris, CEO of USA Triathlon.
USA Triathlon became the first-ever US national team to form a partnership with a CBD company, partnering with Pure Spectrum CBD through 2023. The team praised Pure Spectrum for offering high-quality CBD products backed by third-party testing. Pure Spectrum also designs its products with athletes in mind, testing carefully to ensure there is no THC or other banned substances in the final product.
Jay Williams
Claim to Fame: Retired NBA Player
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “I know so many athletes that play on Percocet. Have you ever taken Percocet by the way? It makes you way more groggy than rubbing cannabis oil into your skin. It’s demonized in society too. Oh, he’s a pot head. No, I actually just use cannabis oil because it helps with inflammation and takes away some anxiety.” – Fox Business.
Jay Williams made headlines in 2016 for claiming that 80% of players of NBA players smoke pot. The former Chicago Bulls guard and three-time Duke All-American urged the NBA to become more progressive in its stance towards marijuana. He claims marijuana and CBD are safer to use than Percocet, yet some players are afraid to use them because they may test positive. Williams is on a mission to remove the stigma around cannabis and NBA players.
Al Harrington
Claim to Fame: Retired NBA Player
CBD Company Associations: Viola
Quote About CBD: “The day-to-day pain management issues that players deal with can be dealt with through cannabis. Something that is all natural and nowhere near as harmful as the stuff that they’re using now.” – The Washington Post.
Al Harrington played 16 seasons in the NBA, then became a cannabis convert to deal with pain from a botched knee surgery. Harrington is such a big fan of cannabis that he even started his own vape cartridge and extract company called Viola, which is now available in several states. Viola was launched all the way back in 2011. Harrington was motivated to launch the company after watching his grandmother struggle with glaucoma and diabetes. Today, Viola sells flowers, vapes, and extracts while also promoting social justice. In December 2019, Harrington also spoke out against the NBA, urging the organization to support legal cannabis usage among players.
Jake Plummer
Claim to Fame: Retired NFL Player
CBD Company Associations: Athletes For Care
Quote About CBD: “I had pain. That's why I left the game after 10 years. It was just the beatdown. Having to take anti-inflammatories all year to get through the season. I didn't like the way my body was feeling. I was miserable. I was mad, pissed off. Questioning: Why the hell did I play football? That's when I started to understand the medical side of marijuana and cannabis: to help with the pain. And also with a lot of the deep thoughts when lying in bed.” – Bleacher Report.
Former NFL Quarterback Jake Plummer is a cannabis advocate. He began using CBD oil to support joint and cartilage functions after undergoing major hip surgeries. Today, he’s pushing for more CBD research particularly for athletes who want to use CBD. With that goal in mind, Plummer launched Athletes For Care, a non-profit organization focusing on other treatment options for athletes – including CBD. He became disillusioned with NSAIDs and opioids during his playing career and found cannabis to provide better relief.
Eugene Monroe
Claim to Fame: Retired NFL Player
CBD Company Associations: EugeneMonroe.com / #cannabis4pain
Quote About CBD: “We now know that these drugs are not as safe as doctors thought, causing higher rates of addiction, causing death all around our country. And we have cannabis, which is far healthier, far less addictive and, quite frankly, can be better in managing pain.” – The New York Times.
Former Ravens OT Eugene Monroe was the first active NFL football player to openly admit using CBD oil. Today, he’s an advocate of CBD and its medicinal properties. He actively supports “The Bright Lights Campaign”, which encourages more studies on CBD and its effects, including how CBD could positively benefit society. Today, through his website EugeneMonroe.com, Monroe is focused on advocacy, including the #cannabis4pain campaign. The website claims CBD – not just cannabis – can help with chronic pain and other issues affecting NFL players.
Gordon Ryan
Claim to Fame: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fighter
CBD Company Associations: CBDistillery
Quote About CBD: “Training 3-4 times a day, recovery is vital. I have to make sure I get at least 8 hrs of sleep every night. I take CBD 30-45 minutes before sleeping. It’s amazing.” – CBDistillery.
Gordon Ryan partnered with CBD company CBDistillery in January 2019. As a Brand Ambassador, Ryan advocates using CBDistillery CBD products to help with sleep and recovery. Gordon Ryan is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion specializing in submission only grappling. He’s a four-time Eddie Bravo International Champion and ADCC World Champion who uses CBD to enhance his natural recovery processes.
Derrick Morgan
Claim to Fame: Former NFL Player
CBD Company Associations:
Quote About CBD: “After researching, finding out more and more about it, I realized this is something guys should know about. You don’t have to take it, but you should at least know about it if it’s going to help you protect your brain and protect your body.”
Former NFL linebacker Derrick Morgan became the NFL’s second active player to advocate the use of CBD oil (Eugene Monroe, mentioned above, was the first). The former Titan told Yahoo’s Katie Couric during an interview in 2016 that he was joining the “When the Bright Lights Fade” campaign, which advocates for the research of CBD. Morgan wasn’t demanding that players start using CBD immediately; instead, he just wanted more research. “All I’m asking for is research. I’m not asking to let guys smoke weed and get high. I’m not asking for that. I’m just asking for the NFL and the NFLPA to take a look at the research.”
Lucas Glover, Charley Hoffman, and Morgan Hoffman
Claim to Fame: Professional Golfers
CBD Company Associations: Medterra
Quote About CBD: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence [that I’m having my best season in more than a decade]. I’m sleeping better and I feel like my recovery is better. As far as my overall health, I feel great. I can tell the difference when I wake up in the morning and that’s a big part of it.” – Lucas Glover, Golf Digest.
Three PGA Tour players, including Lucas Glover, Charley Hoffman, and Morgan Hoffman, have all signed with Medterra as endorsers. The three golfers use various Medterra CBD products to enhance recovery and focus. Glover starts his day with Medterra’s CBD Good Morning pill, for example, which contains caffeine. He also uses the company’s CBD Topical Cooling Cream to treat aches and pains, then uses Medterra’s MedOil CBD Tincture to help with anxiety and sleep.
Gina Mazany
Claim to Fame: UFC Fighter
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: N/A
Alaskan MMA fighter Gina Mazany is currently ranked 25th in the world in the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Division. Like Nate and Nick Diaz, Mazany is a UFC fighter who claims to benefit from CBD. Mazany purportedly uses CBD to reduce anxiety and enhance focus before a fight.
Scott Piercy
Claim to Fame: Professional Golfer
CBD Company Associations: Real Brands, Inc.
Quote About CBD: “I am proud to join the Real Brands Team. I have taken the time to get to know the team at Real Brands and look forward to doing what I can to help grow their Hemp-Derived CBD brands.” – GlobeNewswire.com.
American professional golfer Scott Piercy has partnered with a CBD company called Real Brands, Inc. The publicly-held company operates brands like CBD Pharmacy, Omegahemp, Humboldt Brands, and Hemp-Aid, among others. Piercy, who is currently ranked #112th in the world, is a Brand Ambassador for the company, although he hasn’t publicly explained how he uses the CBD company’s products.
Musicians Using CBD
Willie Nelson
Claim to Fame: Musician
CBD Company Associations: JuJu Royal
Quote About CBD: “The Willie’s Remedy line is a purposeful departure from Willie’s Reserve. It’s not about getting high, but it’s still all about Willie and the benefits we believe cannabis has to offer. Willie and I are proud to offer quality, American-sourced hemp wellness options for people of his generation, our kids’ generation, and everyone in between.” – Annie Nelson, Forbes.
In news that should surprise nobody, Willie Nelson is a huge fan of CBD. The country music legend launched a CBD company called Willie’s Remedy with his wife, Annie Nelson. The company sells CBD-infused coffees, teas, and oils to customers across the United States. The two have also founded a lineup of THC products under the name Willie’s Reserve.
Lil Wayne
Claim to Fame: Rapper
CBD Company Associations: GKUA Ultra Premium
Quote About CBD: “I used to just want to get high, now I smoke to get inspired.” – Yahoo Finance.
It’s no secret that Lil Wayne has been an avid cannabis user for most of his life, but the Grammy Award-winning rapper has recently gotten into CBD. Lil Wayne launched his own cannabis brand called GKUA Ultra Premium in December 2019. The high-potency cannabis products are “designed to provide consumers with the best high of their lives”. The company also sells GKUA Ultra Premium CBD Oil that contains CBD without THC.
Jay-Z
Claim to Fame: Rapper
CBD Company Associations: Caliva
Quote About CBD: “Anything I do, I want to do correctly and at the highest level. With all the potential in the cannabis industry, Caliva’s expertise and ethos make them the best partner for this endeavor. We want to create something amazing, have fun in the process, do good and bring people along the way.”
Jay-Z signed a deal with California-based cannabis company Caliva in July of 2019. As Caliva’s Chief Brand Strategist, Jay-Z will influence the creative direction of the brand. The company offers a range of cannabis products to customers across the United States. Caliva is also the country’s number one seller of indoor flower brands, including Caliva, Fun Uncle, Bad Apple, and PotDeli.
2 Chainz
Claim to Fame: Rapper
CBD Company Associations: GAS Cannabis Co.
Quote About CBD: “And my CBD got chocolate on it.” – YG – Big Bank ft. 2Chainz, Big Sean, & Nicki Minaj
2Chainz has jumped into the cannabis space with his company GAS Cannabis Co. That company currently sells flowers and pre-rolls, although 2Chainz plans to launch a line of edibles in the near future, including CBD edibles and other CBD products. 2Chainz rapped about CBD with YG on the 2018 hit Big Bank, and GAS Cannabis Co. could be launching its own CBD chocolate shortly.
Bob Marley
Claim to Fame: Musician
CBD Company Associations: JuJu Royal
Quote About CBD: N/A
Bob Marley obviously died long before the CBD craze hit. However, in 2019, Bob Marley’s son Julian Marley announced a lineup of premium CBD products under the name JuJu Royal. The “ultra premium CBD products” include vape pens, CBD oils, and more. The Denver-based company can ship CBD products to all 50 states.
Gene Simmons
Claim to Fame: Rockstar
CBD Company Associations: Invictus
Quote About CBD: “I’ve got $10 million wrapped up in the stock [Canadian cannabis company Invictus] because I believe in it. For me, it’s a business move.” – CNN Money.
Simmons famously claims that he’s never smoked pot. However, he does say he believes in cannabis. Encouraged by that belief, Gene Simmons invested $10 million in Canadian cannabis grower Invictus. In fact, Invictus went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2018 under the ticker symbol “GENE”. Gene Simmons may only support CBD and cannabis for business reasons, but hey, it still counts.
Drake
Claim to Fame: Rapper
CBD Company Associations: Canopy Growth Corp.
Quote About CBD: N/A
Canadian rapper Drake has partnered with Canadian cannabis giant Canopy Growth Corp. to launch a cannabis production company called More Life Growth Company in his hometown of Toronto. Canopy Growth is partially-owned by Snoop Dogg. CNN also claims that Drake is the majority owner of the More Life Growth Company, owning a 60% share. That company also already has a license from Health Canada, which oversees the country’s regulated cannabis market. In other words, Drake seems to have been quietly working in the CBD space behind the scenes.
Snoop Dogg
Claim to Fame: Rapper
CBD Company Associations: Leafs By Snoop / Canopy Growth Corp.
Quote About CBD: “I wake up early in the morning and it feels so good/smoking on some s*** that you wish you could/jealousy, envy, please don’t feel bad/this weed is mine, get your own bag/a sack full of OG under lock and key/none for the homies, this is all for me.” Snoop Dogg, “This Weed Iz Mine f. Wiz Khalifa”.
Long Beach’s Snoop Dogg is one of the most obvious celebrities to put on this list. Like Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg has made cannabis part of his brand. Snoop Dogg has proudly expressed his love of CBD, THC, and cannabis overall for decades. We could find thousands of Snoop Dogg quotes to support his stance. Snoop Dogg launched his own lineup of cannabis products called Leafs By Snoop in 2015, which includes edibles, flowers, and concentrates. Snoop has also launched his own 3D CBD product under that brand, which has a THC:CBD ratio of about 5:8. Snoop Dogg has also teamed up with Martha Stewart to launch a lineup of CBD products under Canopy Growth Corp. Oh, and he’s a part-owner of Canopy Growth Corp., one of Canada’s largest cannabis corporations, which he acquired in 2018.
Melissa Etheridge
Claim to Fame: Singer / Songwriter
CBD Company Associations: Etheridge Farms / Greenway Compassionate Relief
Quote About CBD: “Once I considered it medicine, I became much more interested and have taken it into my lifestyle to keep stress down and keep my GI system level – it's been messed up since chemo,” Etheridge says.” – CBS News.
Rockstar Melissa Etheridge began using CBD after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, making her one of the longest-using CBD supporters on this list. Etheridge has reportedly continued using weed in all forms to manage gastrointestinal issues that have arisen since beating cancer. Etheridge has taken marijuana advocacy a step further: she recently purchased 47 acres in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains to grow her own pot, calling the area Etheridge Farms. Etheridge is also cultivating a cannabis-infused wine in partnership with the owners of Greenway Compassionate Relief, a medical marijuana dispensary based in Santa Cruz.
Other
Tommy Chong
Claim to Fame: Comedian
CBD Company Associations: Chong’s Choice
Quote About CBD: “You got to be careful what you put in your body. That’s why the smoking is not exactly the best way to do it as a medicine, per se. But I found you get the purest oil possible and you get the lineage, find out where it came from and what it did to other people. Do your homework. Don’t just stick shit in your body and not think about it. Whatever you put in your body could be life and death.” – Complex.
Tommy Chong became popular in the 1970s for his comedies about smoking pot. He began supporting pot out of personal necessity. Today, Chong claims CBD oil has helped him recover from cancer. He used CBD oil while recovering from prostate cancer after 2012, describing how he “kicked cancer’s ass” with the help of CBD. Inspired by his personal success with CBD, Tommy Chong has launched his own lineup of CBD products called Chong’s Choice. The products – including CBD oils, pre-rolls, THC strips, and more – can currently be shipped to customers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, and Washington (product selection varies between states).
Oliver Stone
Claim to Fame: Director / Filmmaker
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “When I was in Vietnam, [pot] made the difference between being human and being a beast. There were a lot of guys who were drinking and doing a lot of the killing that was so unnecessary and raping. The guys who did dope were much more conscious of the value of life.” – CBS This Morning.
“There's good weed everywhere in the world, but my God, these Americans are brilliant. It [legalization] can be done. It can be done legally, safely, healthy, and it can be taxed and the government can pay for education and stuff like that. Also, you can save a fortune by not putting kids in jail.” – Stuff.co.nz.
Oliver Stone fought in Vietnam for the United States Army before returning home to begin his career in cinema. He came back from the war with PTSD, then started using cannabis to help him manage the symptoms. Stone has also claimed that several of his platoon members started smoking to relax and maintain a healthy state of mind. He’s been advocating for legalization ever since. After sharing his positive experience with marijuana during the Vietnam War, High Times put Oliver Stone on the cover.
Stacy London
Claim to Fame: TV Show Host
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “Guys, many of you know I had spine surgery in December. It was necessary for me to have it in order to stop intense chronic pain which had been plaguing me for about a year and on and off for lots of years before that. Afterward, I started using this lotion formulated with pure CBD cannabis. This isn't pot. There is no THC, the psychotropic part of cannabis in it, and therefore perfectly legal. It helps to heal sore joints (great for my psoriatic arthritis), sore muscles (from wearing a brace for the last 3 months,) and just the aches and pains of healing. It helps with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, even dry skin and I put it on my surgical scar at night. There is no psychotropic effect, just pain relief. I am not a fan of prescription pain killers though they were kinda unavoidable after spine surgery. I am so sensitive to medication the side effects were awful. But this product helped me off of them in 10 days. I never looked back. This is an excellent wellness product from a company committed to pain relief and anyone suffering from muscle, joint or skin conditions should know about it. Go to lord jones.com. It is shippable NATIONWIDE. This is not an ad. This is my testimonial..” – @stacylondonreal on Instagram.
Stacy London, the host of TLC’s What Not to Wear, gave a huge endorsement of Lord Jones CBD lotion. What’s even more impressive is that she claims it wasn’t an ad: it was simply a testimonial. London started using the CBD lotion as an alternative for pain killers, claiming she doesn’t react well to traditional medication. She swears by the CBD lotion for pain relief and general skin conditions – including eczema and dryness.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Claim to Fame: Model
CBD Company Associations: N/A
Quote About CBD: “The most important thing to do [to prep for the Victoria’s Secret Show] is to sleep eight hours the night before. It’s hard because the mind gets anxious, so I try CBD oil, and I think it helps.” – Well + Good.
Alessanra Ambrosio is one of the best-known Victoria’s Secret models. Ambrosio has been outspoken in support of CBD since 2017, when the model claimed that CBD oil helped her stay calm when hit with anxiety. Ambrosio also praised CBD for helping her sleep better. Ambrosio’s go-to CBD product is CBD Water from Kreation Organic Juicery in Los Angeles.
Final Word
As you can see, CBD has no shame in its game. It's in love with so many famous people it's hard to keep track of which social influencers are using it or advocating support for cannabis-oil infused products. This 2020 CBD celebrities list was prepared to help curate and aggregate the biggest and brightest believers of cannabidiol.
These are just a few of the celebrities, musicians, athletes, and social media stars who use CBD. As CBD has taken off among us “normal people”, its usage has also skyrocketed among celebrities – including all the CBD-using celebs above.
Bookmark this resource as it will be updated monthly given any new announcements, partnerships or relationships that happen over the course of 2020 as CBD continues its trend upward in the new decade…thanks to not only all of its perceived benefits, but influential celebrities who boost its notoriety and medicinal benefits.
