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Professional Athletes Support Cannabis Reform: New Study Finds 56% Use Cannabis and 87% Recognize Therapeutic Benefits
New research reveals that professional athletes and their medical trainers increasingly view cannabis as a potential therapeutic tool rather than a dangerous drug, raising questions about whether professional sports leagues should modernize their marijuana policies.
For decades, professional athletes have faced disciplinary action, suspensions, and public criticism for using marijuana. But new scientific research suggests that attitudes toward cannabis are changing dramatically among the very people responsible for competing at the highest levels of professional sports.
According to a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Sports Health, 56% of surveyed elite athletes currently use cannabis products, while approximately 87% believe cannabis has therapeutic value.
Even more significantly, athletes and their medical training staff overwhelmingly support reconsidering professional sports policies that restrict cannabis use.
The findings were highlighted in an October 29, 2026, report by National NORML, adding to the growing conversation about marijuana legalization, medical cannabis, and the future of drug policies in professional athletics.
For cannabis reform advocates, including Suncoast NORML here in Florida, the study raises an important question:
If professional athletes and their medical teams increasingly recognize cannabis as a potential therapeutic option, why should outdated marijuana policies continue to interfere with informed medical decisions?
New Study Examines Cannabis Use Among Professional Athletes
Researchers from Canada surveyed 166 elite and professional contact-sport athletes from the United States, Canada, and Australia, along with 64 medical and training professionals.
Participants included physicians, athletic therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, and other professionals involved in athlete health and performance.
The researchers examined cannabis consumption, attitudes toward legalization, medical knowledge, perceived stigma, and professional sports league policies.
Key Findings From the Cannabis and Professional Sports Study
56% of athletes reported currently using cannabis or cannabinoid products.
Approximately 87% believed cannabis has therapeutic value.
67% would consider cannabis as an alternative to prescription or over-the-counter medications if it were effective and permitted.
63.4% wanted their leagues to allow recreational or therapeutic cannabis use without punishment or testing.
71.8% of medical staff supported reviewing, updating, and clarifying their leagues' cannabis policies.
97.4% of surveyed medical staff supported cannabis legalization.
80.4% of athletes reported never discussing cannabis use with their team doctors or trainers.
These findings suggest that cannabis is already part of the lives of many professional athletes, even when policies and medical education have not kept pace.
Importantly, this was a survey of a relatively small, nonrandom sample of elite contact-sport athletes. Its results should not be interpreted as representing every professional athlete or sports league.
Why Are Professional Athletes Using Cannabis?
Professional athletes experience physical demands that most people will never encounter.
Intense training schedules, injuries, chronic pain, disrupted sleep, and the psychological pressures of competition can all affect their health and quality of life.
Cannabis and cannabinoid products have attracted attention as possible tools for addressing some of these concerns.
Athletes may be interested in cannabinoids for several reasons:
1. Pain Management
Pain is a common challenge in professional sports, particularly contact sports.
Some athletes explore cannabis as a possible alternative or complement to conventional pain management strategies.
Although research suggests certain cannabinoid treatments may help some chronic pain patients, the evidence remains mixed and does not establish that cannabis is effective for every athletic injury or type of pain.
2. Sleep and Recovery
Rest and recovery are essential for maintaining athletic performance.
Some athletes report using cannabis products to support sleep or relaxation.
However, research has not conclusively demonstrated that cannabis improves athletic recovery, and THC can have complex effects on sleep quality, cognition, and next-day functioning.
3. Interest in Alternatives to Traditional Medications
One of the study's most revealing findings was that 67% of surveyed athletes would consider substituting cannabis for other prescription or over-the-counter medications if it were effective and permitted.
This does not mean cannabis is a proven replacement for those medications.
Rather, it demonstrates substantial interest among athletes in having additional therapeutic options available through informed medical decision-making.
Any medication changes should be evaluated with a qualified healthcare professional.
Athletes and Medical Trainers Increasingly View Cannabis as Medicine
Perhaps the most important finding is how professional athletes and their medical staff categorize cannabis.
Instead of automatically associating marijuana with dangerous illicit drugs, many respondents viewed cannabinoids similarly to supplements, prescription medications, or over-the-counter therapeutic products.
Approximately 74% of surveyed athletes categorized cannabis as having medicinal value comparable to certain prescription treatments, while more than half compared it to over-the-counter pain relievers.
Medical professionals also expressed favorable attitudes toward the potential medical applications of cannabinoids.
This shift in perception is significant.
For generations, marijuana prohibition has encouraged the belief that cannabis has no legitimate medical value. Yet many people working directly in elite athletic environments now recognize that cannabinoids deserve scientific evaluation rather than automatic dismissal.
That does not make cannabis risk-free. Cannabinoids can cause impairment, interact with medications, and present other health concerns.
But recognizing both potential benefits and risks is precisely why evidence-based cannabis policies matter.
Cannabis Stigma Is Preventing Athletes From Talking to Their Doctors
The research identified another serious concern: the communication gap between athletes and medical professionals.
According to the study:
81.3% of athletes perceived negative public stigma surrounding cannabis use in sports.
68.5% believed they would experience stigma for discussing cannabis with team medical staff.
Only 21.4% felt comfortable discussing cannabis with their doctors or trainers.
80.4% had never discussed cannabis with team medical personnel.
This creates a troubling situation.
Athletes may already be using cannabinoid products, but fear of punishment, judgment, or professional consequences can discourage them from discussing that use with healthcare providers.
That silence can interfere with medical oversight, accurate information about drug interactions, and informed decisions about safety.
Punitive cannabis policies may discourage the very conversations that could help protect athletes' health.
Reducing stigma does not mean ignoring potential risks. It means creating an environment where patients can communicate honestly with medical professionals.
Even Sports Medicine Professionals Say They Need More Cannabis Education
While the surveyed medical professionals generally supported legalization and recognized possible therapeutic applications, many acknowledged that they lacked sufficient cannabinoid education.
The study found that 74.4% of medical staff did not feel adequately educated to discuss cannabis use with athletes.
Meanwhile, 79.5% expressed a need for additional education about cannabinoids in medicine.
All responding medical staff expressed interest in an athlete-specific, peer-reviewed cannabinoid education program taught by qualified instructors.
These findings reveal a critical gap between changing attitudes and professional training.
Athletes are increasingly interested in cannabis, but many of the professionals responsible for their health have received little formal instruction about cannabinoid pharmacology, dosing, potential interactions, and clinical applications.
The answer should not be to ignore cannabis.
It should be to improve education, encourage research, and develop responsible policies that prioritize athlete safety.
Should Professional Sports Leagues Update Their Marijuana Policies?
The findings add new weight to calls for professional sports organizations to reconsider cannabis restrictions.
Historically, marijuana policies in athletics have often reflected broader drug prohibition attitudes rather than a clear distinction between performance enhancement, medical use, and impairment during competition.
Professional leagues have taken different approaches to cannabis, and their rules continue to evolve.
The new research suggests that future policies should consider:
Protecting legitimate medical decisions: Athletes should have opportunities to discuss potential cannabinoid therapies with qualified medical professionals.
Distinguishing use from impairment: Policies should address meaningful safety concerns rather than treating every indication of past cannabis exposure as proof of current impairment.
Expanding medical education: Team physicians and trainers need access to reliable cannabinoid research.
Reducing stigma: Athletes should be able to discuss cannabis honestly without unnecessary fear of professional consequences.
Supporting additional research: More clinical studies are needed to evaluate cannabis for pain, sleep, recovery, and other potential applications in athletic populations.
Importantly, professional league rules and international anti-doping regulations are not identical. Cannabis products may still be restricted under applicable competition rules, and CBD products can contain THC or other prohibited substances.
Reforming marijuana policy should not mean abandoning athlete safety standards.
It should mean ensuring those standards are based on current scientific evidence.
What Does This Mean for Medical Marijuana Patients in Florida?
Although this study focused on elite athletes across three countries, its findings are relevant to the broader discussion about medical cannabis in Florida.
Florida has an established medical marijuana program, yet patients can still encounter stigma, workplace restrictions, and uncertainty about their rights.
Professional athletes are not the only people who may hesitate to discuss cannabis with medical professionals or employers.
Workers, parents, veterans, and patients managing chronic conditions can face similar concerns.
At Suncoast NORML, we believe cannabis policies should be grounded in science, patient protections, education, and individual freedom rather than decades-old stereotypes.
The growing acceptance of cannabis among elite athletes and medical professionals demonstrates why policymakers should continue examining whether existing marijuana restrictions are justified.
If athletes competing at the highest levels increasingly recognize cannabis as a potential therapeutic option, everyday Floridians deserve the same opportunity to have informed conversations with their healthcare providers without unnecessary stigma.
Cannabis Reform Should Be Guided by Science, Not Stigma
The most important takeaway from this research is not simply that many professional athletes use cannabis.
It is that athletes and medical professionals are increasingly calling for better education, clearer regulations, and more medically informed policies.
The study also makes clear that significant scientific and educational gaps remain.
Cannabis is not a miracle treatment, and self-reported therapeutic benefits do not replace controlled clinical trials.
But neither should marijuana's history of prohibition prevent legitimate scientific investigation or responsible policy reform.
For decades, athletes have been told that marijuana use is incompatible with professional sports.
Now, research is showing that many athletes and the professionals responsible for their care see the issue differently.
The question is no longer simply whether athletes use cannabis. It is whether professional sports organizations are prepared to develop policies that reflect the evidence, acknowledge medical realities, and protect athlete health.
At Suncoast NORML, we believe the answer should involve education, research, and sensible cannabis reform.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis and Professional Athletes
What percentage of professional athletes use cannabis?
A 2026 study published in Sports Health found that 56% of 166 surveyed elite and professional contact-sport athletes reported current cannabis or cannabinoid use. The sample was not representative of all professional athletes.
Do professional athletes support cannabis legalization?
The study found strong support for legalization and updated cannabis policies among surveyed athletes and medical staff. Nearly 97.4% of responding medical staff supported legalization.
Can cannabis help athletes recover from injuries?
Some athletes report using cannabis for pain, sleep, or recovery-related concerns. However, clinical evidence remains limited, and cannabis has not been established as an effective treatment for all sports injuries or as a reliable way to improve athletic recovery.
Do professional sports leagues allow marijuana?
Cannabis policies vary by professional league, competition, and governing organization. Some leagues have relaxed certain restrictions, while others maintain testing or disciplinary rules. Athletes should review the policies applicable to their sport.
Is cannabis considered a performance-enhancing drug?
Cannabis is not established as a reliable performance enhancer. THC can impair reaction time, coordination, and judgment. Certain cannabinoids remain prohibited under international anti-doping rules during competition, regardless of whether athletes believe they provide therapeutic benefits.
Why do athletes want cannabis policies changed?
Surveyed athletes expressed interest in therapeutic use, reduced punishment, clearer policies, and greater freedom to discuss cannabis with medical professionals. Many also believed that existing stigma discouraged honest conversations about cannabis.
What does this study mean for cannabis legalization in Florida?
The research contributes to the broader discussion about evidence-based marijuana laws, medical access, and reducing cannabis stigma. It does not directly change Florida cannabis laws or professional sports regulations.
Original Research and Source Attribution
Original reporting: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), October 29, 2026.
Peer-reviewed research: Thompson, E. S., et al. (2026). Athletes and Medical Staff in Elite Contact Sports: A Quantitative Analysis of Use, Knowledge, and Attitudes Regarding Cannabinoids. Sports Health.
This article was independently prepared for Suncoast NORML using reporting from National NORML and the published scientific study. We thank National NORML for its continued work highlighting cannabis research and advocating for evidence-based marijuana policy reform.
Support Cannabis Reform in Florida
Suncoast NORML advocates for sensible marijuana laws, patient protections, cannabis education, and an end to prohibition.
Stay informed, get involved, and help us build a future where cannabis policies are based on science rather than stigma.
Legalization Through Education. Reform Through Action.
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