PuraPhy 20 Athletes 2022: Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson [basketball], #9

The PuraPhy 20 is a ranked list of individuals who fit in different categories who—right now—wield significant influence in the world of hemp oil/CBD be it with consumers, businesses, governmental officials, regulatory agencies or others. PuraPhy believes that to hold genuine power is to have the ability to persuade and influence wide swaths of relevant stakeholders. PuraPhy 20’s categories will include celebrities, politicians, athletes, scientists, influencers and more.

The PuraPhy 20 list below ranks some of the biggest athletes on the planet based on just how influential they are in shaping public opinion about the use of hemp oil/CBD and how it impacts both the exploding industry as well as the sports and pop cultural zeitgeist in the US and beyond. From David Beckham to Rob Gronkowski and from Megan Rapinoe to Paul Pierce, the roster of superstar jocks who use and love CBD is as eclectic as one might expect. And then some.

BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

When Earvin “Magic” Johnson, an über successful investor and, yes, an absolute NBA legend, entered a strategic partnership with quirky, powerhouse CBD brand, Uncle Bud’s Hemp & CBD in 2020, a lot of folks sat up and took notice. And why wouldn’t they? Johnson rarely makes a wrong move in his business life.

The Los Lakers icon says he was convinced to represent Uncle Bud’s—joining an eclectic roster that includes Jane Fonda(!)—after using one of its products for pain relief.

“When Uncle Bud’s and I came together, it was just natural, with me dealing with my own health situation, HIV, for more than 30 years now,” Johnson told People, noting his diagnosis in 1991 that led to his first retirement from the NBA.

“I think naturally we just hit it off, and then both our desires to help other people with their own health issues and stay healthy, especially during this pandemic, is really important,” he continued. “And I think you’re seeing people around the world that are just trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle and simply trying to get healthy any way they can.”

Magic Johnson, who also owns a piece of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, is on the CBD bandwagon. The bigger question may, in fact, be: Why isn’t everybody?