What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Mental Health, Pain, Sleep.

Where was this research published?

Published in Sports health on July 7, 2026.

What elite athletes really think about cannabis in sports

Inside the Minds of Professional and Elite Athletes: A Qualitative Exploration of Perspectives on Cannabinoid Use in Contact Sports.

Sports health • July 7, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

Elite contact sport athletes are increasingly using cannabis for therapeutic, recovery, and recreational purposes, but they face significant barriers that prevent informed decision-making. This qualitative study of 10 professional and collegiate athletes from major leagues (NHL, NFL, NBA, NCAA, USports) reveals that athletes deliberately use cannabis for pain management, sleep, recovery, and mental health with careful control over dosage and administration. However, athletes report inconsistent knowledge and widespread misinformation about cannabis, complicated by persistent stigma and fear of judgment from peers and medical staff.

The research identified five critical systemic barriers: athletes' cannabis use is largely hidden due to stigma, there is insufficient evidence-based education for both athletes and healthcare providers, limited trust between athletes and medical personnel prevents open communication, and inconsistent policies across organizations create confusion and regulatory ambiguity. Athletes emphasized that cannabis information from credible, knowledgeable sources is severely lacking, forcing many to rely on informal networks and unreliable resources rather than clinician guidance.

The findings underscore a critical need for multidisciplinary collaboration to standardize cannabis policies across sports leagues and provide accessible, evidence-based education to both athletes and medical teams. Better athlete-clinician communication and transparent organizational guidance could support safer, more informed cannabis use among elite competitors while reducing the stigma that currently prevents athletes from seeking medical advice about their cannabis practices.

📄 Original Abstract

As cannabis legalization expands and professional sports organizations reassess cannabinoid policies, elite contact sport athletes are increasingly exposed to cannabis use for therapeutic, recovery, and recreational purposes. Despite these shifts, limited evidence-based education and persistent stigma may hinder informed decision-making and athlete-clinician communication. Professional and elite-level contact sport athletes exhibit inconsistent knowledge and perspectives regarding cannabis use, shaped by stigma, inadequate education, and regulatory ambiguity. Qualitative descriptive study. Level 4. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with current or former elite contact sport athletes from professional and collegiate leagues, including the National Hockey League, National Football League, National Basketball Association, American Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and USports. Interviews explored athletes' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to cannabis and cannabinoid products in sport. Transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's 6-step thematic analysis framework to identify recurring patterns and themes. A total of 5 primary themes emerged: (1) athletes use cannabis; (2) insufficient education and lack of credible information sources; (3) persistent stigma and fear of judgment; (4) limited trust and communication with medical staff; and (5) inconsistency in laws, policies, and organizational responses. Athletes reported cannabis use for pain management, sleep, recovery, and mental health, typically with deliberate control over dosage, timing, and administration methods. Across interviews, participants emphasized the need for accessible, evidence-based education for both athletes and medical personnel. Elite contact sport athletes use cannabis intentionally for recreational, therapeutic, and recovery purposes but face systemic barriers related to misinformation, stigma, and inconsistent policy guidance. Enhancing athlete and clinician education and standardizing cannabis-related regulations across leagues may support safer, evidence-informed practices. This study identifies critical educational and policy gaps regarding cannabis in elite sport and underscores the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to guide responsible cannabinoid use among athletes.