Toronto Wolfpack to launch line of athlete-focused cannabidiol products

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Toronto Wolfpack to launch line of athlete-focused cannabidiol products

Neil Davidson The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, May 12, 2019 5:11PM EDT

Toronto Wolfpack and Swinton Lions players square off in Betfred Championship rugby league play Sunday, April 28, 2019 in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Wolfpack-Amy Stoparczyk MANDATORY CREDIT

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TORONTO -- The Toronto Wolfpack, no strangers to blazing a trail, are getting into the cannabidiol products business.

The transatlantic rugby league team and its wholly owned subsidiary HowlBrands are partnering with Vancouver-based companies International Cannabis Corp. and Organic Flower Investments Group Inc. to

"CBD is a very good, natural way to deal with a lot of issues that athletes have and this is a logical step for us with our own branded products," Wolfpack majority owner David Argyle said in an interview.

The Wolfpack say they are the first pro sports team to enter the CBD-infused products marketplace.

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The first product is a CBD-infused topical cream called Rugby Strength, designed to "combat acute aches and pains." It will hit the market "in the coming months."

The cream uses CBD extract from organically grown hemp and contains no THC, meaning it has no psychoactive effects.

"Our goal is to bridge the gap between professional sports and CBD to offer athletes, active people and anyone who experiences physical discomfort, a range of unique wellness products that deliver the indisputable therapeutic benefits of hemp-based CBD," Eva Allouche, head of global brands for HowlBrands, said in a statement.

The plan is to make several CBD-infused product lines available through HowlBrands, including topical creams, therapeutic relief balms, sport pain tinctures, soaks and roll-ons.

The products will be available online and in retail outlets and pharmacies, depending on jurisdiction.

"Canada has been one of the leaders for the use of CBDs and it's well-regarded and documented, the benefits of CBD ... the Wolfpack is assisting in the validation of the industry going forward," said Argyle.

A portion of the proceeds from Rugby Strength will be reinvested into the development of rugby around the world.

The Wolfpack began play in the third-tier of English rugby league in 2017, winning promotion its first season. The Toronto team, looking to make the jump to the elite Super League, currently tops the second-tier Betfred Championship with a 12-1-0 record.