Can Athletes Legally Consume Cannabis? The Truth About Cannabis in Sports

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Cannabis, once completely prohibited for athletes on the grounds of the benefits (or drawbacks) of its use, is enjoying a positive publicity boost, not least because of the legalization of the drug in Canada and many US states. But can athletes consume cannabis legally without risking their careers? The answer is more complicated than you might expect. The laws, policies, and even the public attitude differ greatly depending on your location and team. Cannabis and athletics: we’re about to find out where they intersect on the legal playing field.

Canada: An All-Access Pass for Athletes?

This might seem like athletes in the Great White North have a green light to light up after Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018. And technically, they do—as private citizens. Any adult over 18 (or 19 in some provinces) can, under Canadian law, purchase and consume cannabis. For amateur athletes or those not under the purview of international governing bodies, the rules are as simple as “don’t break provincial cannabis laws.”

But it gets more complicated for professional and elite athletes. Organizations like the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), which follows World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, list THC as a prohibited substance during competition periods. 

So, while Canadian athletes can legally consume cannabis in their downtime, they must be careful about the timing and frequency of their use. WADA’s threshold for a positive THC test is 150 nanograms per milliliter—a number high enough to account for occasional use but low enough to penalize anyone who indulges too close to game day.

The U.S.: A Patchwork of Policies

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Cannabis laws in the United States are a legal labyrinth. Despite more than 20 states legalizing recreational cannabis, it remains federally illegal, creating unique challenges for athletes. US sports leagues have also established policies that don’t always conform to state laws.

For example, the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have all relaxed their standards in recent years, but there is still no legalization of cannabis in all its forms. The NFL doesn’t suspend players for positive THC tests any longer, but it does administer annual drug tests and requires treatment programs for people with elevated levels. 

The NBA has opted out of random cannabis testing, and MLB actually took cannabis off the list of banned substances. The NHL has never been big on cannabis use and instead treats it as a health issue that needs to be looked at.

College athletes in the US have it even worse. The NCAA still prohibits cannabis, and the consequences for testing positive are severe. This big discrepancy exists: Not only do professional athletes get permission to use cannabis in some cases, but student-athletes have to deal with old rules and negative publicity.

The Role of Cannabis in Recovery and Wellness

Cannabis use among athletes is strongly in support of its use as a recovery aid. Its inflammatory and pain-relieving properties are well-known, making it an attractive alternative to opioids or over-the-counter medications. CBD, the nonpsychoactive compound in cannabis, has also gained popularity among athletes because of its calming and restorative benefits.

Cannabis is now a potential wellness tool that both Canadian and American athletes are advocating for. Former NFL players like Ricky Williams and Rob Gronkowski have already come out in support of cannabis for recovery, though Canadian athletes such as Ross Rebagliati, the first Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding, have advocated for it for years.

But until the stigma and regulations evolve, many athletes aren’t brave enough to come out in favor of cannabis for fear of damaging their careers.

The Fine Line Between Legal and Career-Ending

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The biggest problem with cannabis in sports is inconsistency. A California athlete can legally consume cannabis recreationally, but a positive THC test during competition could get the athlete suspended or fined, depending on their league or organization.

In addition, a Canadian athlete may be able to legally purchase and use cannabis at home, but if they are competing in a WADA-regulated event, they will face international consequences.

This gap demonstrates the need for a more cohesive policy. As cannabis becomes more accepted, many athletes and advocacy groups are advocating for changes in policies that understand the plant’s legality and health benefits. Until then, athletes have to walk the tightrope between their own decisions and the rules of their sport.