New study indicates stigma still hinders athletes' access to information about cannabis
NFL-funded research reveals that athletes across different sports use cannabis for pain, recovery, and mental health, but still face stigma and little formal guidance from teams and sports leagues
As cannabis occupies an increasingly larger space in discussions about sports health and recovery, high-performance athletes say they still face an obstacle outside of competition: a lack of evidence-based information. An NFL-funded study shows that although several leagues have relaxed their cannabis policies, many athletes continue to rely on peers' experiences or the internet because they do not receive adequate guidance from medical staff.
Published in the journal Sports Health, the study was conducted by researchers from the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina, in Canada, and surveyed ten professional and college athletes from contact sports, including representatives from the NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAA.
Participants reported using cannabis primarily for pain management, physical recovery, sleep improvement, relaxation, and mental health support.
Stigma still influences athletes' decisions
According to the study, despite rule changes adopted by sports leagues in recent years, many athletes still fear judgment from peers, executives, and the public. Fear of penalties, impacts on public image, and legal discrepancies also contribute to uncertainty regarding cannabis use.
The researchers also noted that education provided by teams and organizations often emphasizes only the risks of cannabis, without balanced coverage of available scientific evidence. As a result, a large portion of respondents stated they seek information from informal sources, such as teammates and internet searches.
Evidence-based education is among the main recommendations
Among the conclusions, the authors advocate for sports leagues to invest in education targeted at athletes and sports medicine professionals, foster open communication, and align their policies with the latest scientific evidence. They also recommend encouraging further research on the effects of cannabis on recovery, well-being, and long-term athlete health.
According to Marijuana Moment, the NFL and the players' association have been expanding funding for cannabis research in recent years and have already overhauled their policies, reducing THC-related penalties. Other organizations, such as the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA, have also implemented changes to their regulations, following a shifting landscape in how cannabis is handled in sports.
Source: Marijuana Moment.