The Changing Culture of Cannabis in Professional Sports

The landscape of professional sports is undergoing a profound shift, particularly in how athletes approach leisure, recovery, and performance enhancement. Within the National Hockey League (NHL), a growing number of players are opting for cannabis and video games over traditional drinking and late-night partying. This evolution reflects a broader cultural transition as cannabis gains legal acceptance across North America.

A New Era in the NHL

A recent survey conducted by The New York Times among over three dozen NHL athletes revealed that 38% of players reported using cannabis edibles during the regular season. While the survey didn’t capture data on smoking or vaping, it suggests a noteworthy change in attitudes toward cannabis within professional hockey.

Veteran NHL player Nate Schmidt, a defenseman for the Florida Panthers, recalls a time when excessive alcohol consumption was normalized in the league. “If you can’t play hungover in this league, you don’t belong in it,” he was once told. However, the newer generation of players seems to be rewriting that narrative. Fewer athletes are willing to endure the effects of alcohol the morning after a night out, instead turning to cannabis products—particularly THC/CBD-balanced edibles—as an alternative for relaxation and recovery.

“For younger players, the stigma has disappeared,” Schmidt noted. “For older players, it hasn’t.”

Shifting Policies Across Sports Leagues

The NHL has long maintained a relatively lenient stance on cannabis use compared to other major sports leagues. Players are not penalized for testing positive for THC unless their levels are deemed “abnormally” high, at which point they may be referred to the league’s Player Assistance Program. This policy reflects a growing recognition that cannabis use does not necessarily impair athletic performance and, in some cases, may offer benefits in recovery and pain management.

Other leagues have also been adapting their policies:

• NFL: The National Football League has significantly revised its cannabis policies, increasing the allowable THC threshold and reducing fines for positive tests. The league also ended suspensions for cannabis-related offenses in 2020.
• NCAA: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) voted in 2023 to remove cannabis from its banned substances list for Division I athletes, aligning with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) more lenient stance.
• UFC: The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) removed marijuana from its modified banned substances list in late 2023. However, fighters competing under the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) still face penalties for excessive THC levels.
• NBA/WNBA: In early 2024, the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty became the first professional basketball teams to partner with a CBD beverage company, marking a significant step toward mainstream acceptance of cannabis in sports.
• MLB: Major League Baseball (MLB) has taken a progressive stance, allowing teams to sign sponsorship deals with cannabis companies. The Chicago Cubs made history in 2023 by partnering with a hemp-based CBD beverage brand.

The Future of Cannabis in Professional Sports

As more leagues and governing bodies revisit their cannabis policies, the conversation around its role in sports is expanding. The National Football League has gone as far as partnering with Canadian researchers to study CBD’s potential for pain management and neuroprotection against concussions—a critical area of concern for contact sports.

Despite progress, barriers remain. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) still maintains restrictions on THC, a policy that has drawn criticism, particularly following the suspension of U.S. track star Sha’Carri Richardson from the Olympics in 2021. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has actively challenged WADA’s stance, arguing that cannabis use should not be grounds for disqualification in competitive sports.

Meanwhile, state-level regulations continue to evolve. Nevada recently enacted laws preventing athletes from being penalized for cannabis use if they comply with state regulations. This precedent may influence further policy changes at the national and international levels.

Conclusion

The shifting attitudes toward cannabis in professional sports are a direct reflection of its broader acceptance in society. With more athletes advocating for its use and leagues adapting their policies, cannabis is shedding its historical stigma. The days of alcohol-fueled locker rooms are giving way to a new era where players prioritize wellness, recovery, and responsible cannabis consumption.

As research into cannabis’s benefits continues to grow, it is likely that more professional sports organizations will follow the lead of the NHL and MLB in recognizing its role in modern athletic culture. Whether for recreational use or performance recovery, cannabis is undeniably changing the game.