Therapeutic Cannabis in Professional Sports: Benefits, Stigma, and the Need for Education

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Professional athletes increasingly rely on cannabis for chronic pain management, muscle recovery, and sleep support, yet they frequently encounter a lack of structured medical guidance and persistent institutional stigma, according to a study published in the journal Sports Health.

The research, conducted by academics at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina in Canada, reveals that the broader expansion of cannabis legalization across North America has driven a surge in usage among professional competitors. Funding for the project was provided in part by the joint pain management committee established by the National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association.

Athletes Turn to Cannabis for Recovery and Pain Management

According to the Sports Health study, competitors across major professional leagues use cannabis not for recreational purposes, but to handle chronic pain, enhance muscle recovery, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. Interviews with ten current and former professional athletes from contact sports—spanning the NFL, National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)—indicate that many view cannabinoids as a safer alternative to opioid painkillers and alcohol.

Despite this widespread usage, participants reported that team doctors, medical staffs, and sports federations rarely provide comprehensive education. Communications from official bodies typically emphasize the legal risks and potential harms of cannabis while ignoring its therapeutic applications and failing to explain the rationale behind specific drug policies.

Institutional Stigma and Anti-Doping Policy Disparities

The study highlights that stigma remains a primary barrier for professionals considering cannabis use. Athletes surveyed expressed fear of professional repercussions, damage to their public image, and judgment from team executives, coaches, and teammates.

Furthermore, athletes voiced frustration regarding anti-doping regulations that treat cannabis similarly to performance-enhancing drugs, while alcohol remains socially accepted and widely available within sports environments. In the absence of formal guidance from leagues or medical professionals, many competitors rely on online searches, personal experimentation, and advice from peers to navigate cannabinoid use.

To address these gaps, the study authors outline five priorities for sports organizations:

• Develop tailored educational programs regarding cannabis for athletes.
• Standardize policies across different sports leagues based on current scientific evidence.
• Foster open, prejudice-free dialogue between competitors and medical personnel.
• Reduce institutional stigma within athletic environments.
• Fund further research into the long-term effects of cannabinoids on physical recovery and overall health.

Major Sports Leagues Ease Cannabis Restrictions

Professional sports organizations have begun adjusting their disciplinary frameworks. In 2023, the NBA removed cannabis from its prohibited substances list and permitted players to invest in and partner with cannabis brands. The NCAA followed in 2024 by removing cannabis from its banned substances list for Division I athletes, building on a 2022 decision to raise the allowable THC threshold to align with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards.

The NFL eliminated suspensions for positive tests in prior seasons and further reduced financial penalties while raising allowable THC limits. Similarly, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) removed cannabis from its prohibited substances list and introduced rules allowing players to endorse and invest in cannabis companies.

The Ongoing Conflict with International Anti-Doping Standards

Despite shifts in North American leagues, international sport maintains stricter prohibitions. The World Anti-Doping Agency continues to ban cannabis during in-competition periods, a policy criticized by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as outdated given current scientific evidence.

High-profile disciplinary actions, such as the suspension of U.S. sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson ahead of the Tokyo Olympics following a positive THC test, have intensified global debate over whether athletic regulations adequately reflect evolving legal and medical realities.