There’s already a well-established trend of cannabis companies making inroads in the fashion world, investing in logoed apparel lines and other merch. Apparel companies are returning the favor, exploring ways to incorporate CBD (cannabidiol) products into their brands, from footwear brand Tamara Mellon debuting CBD-infused “stiletto cream,” to clothing company Alice + Olivia teaming up with luxury cannabis brand Kush Queen on a line of CBD bath bombs and other self-care products.

Acabada debuted a line of CBD-infused activewear.

Fledgling activewear company, Acabada, is taking things one step further, becoming the first brand to put CBD directly into its line of high-end women’s workout clothing. (Prices range from $125 to $275.) CBD, a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp plants, has been growing in popularity since the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp cultivation legal. The compound doesn’t get users high, but many believe it helps reduce inflammation and relieve stress, among other positive properties. Some athletes swear by CBD to help reduce muscle soreness and potentially improve performance.

“We call it ‘ProActiveWear.’ It’s a bit of a pun,” says Seth Baum, CEO of Acabada. “What can you do to make yourself better? How can technology help you be your best self?”

Acabada embeds microencapsulated CBD into fabric panels that are strategically placed to target major muscle groups.

Acabada uses a process called microencapsulation to infuse lab-certified CBD into its clothing. CBD droplets are wrapped in a protective polymer coating and then embedded into the fabric through a patented textile finishing treatment. Acabada places these CBD-infused fabrics strategically in its garments to target major muscle groups. As the wearer moves and creates friction, the microcapsules open, releasing the CBD.

Currently, the company estimates that the CBD will last for roughly 40 wash cycles, though for light exercise – yoga on the beach, rather than a marathon – the lifecycle might be closer to 70 to 90 wears. Baum says Acabada is already developing its next generation of activewear and hopes eventually to bring the average up to 100 wears before the CBD is depleted.

When the CBD is all gone, Baum says, the wearer is still left with a “well-made, well-designed garment.” However, he’s hoping users will like the concept so much they’ll replace the piece with something new. To encourage this, Acabada plans to release new styles every few months and has an upcycling program, where customers get a 30% discount on their next purchase if they send the garment (with prepaid postage provided by Acabada) to be reused. Rather than end up in a landfill, the used activewear would be transformed into insulation or other post-consumer uses, Baum says.

“It fits with our brand ethos of being environmentally conscious,” he adds.

Prices for Acabada’s CBD-infused activewear range from $125 to $275.

Acabada launched in August, and Baum says he’s already hearing positive feedback from customers, and believes that trend will only continue as more and more people learn about the benefits of CBD. “It’s not a fad,” he adds.

“In order to stand out in a very competitive world, you need something different, and this is our point of differentiation,” Baum says. “There are so many things that can be done with this microencapsulation technology. We’re really just at the very, very beginning.”