NFL-Funded Study Shows Rising Acceptance of Cannabis in Sports

Attitudes toward cannabis consumption have come a long way since the first states adopted recreational cannabis policies. Today, marijuana is more mainstream than ever. Now, new research conducted by the National Football League shows that athletes are more accepting of cannabis, not as a performance enhancer, but as a therapeutic alternative.

That the NFL even initiated such a study may come as a surprise to some. After all, the organization has historically had a staunch drug policy and stiff penalties for players caught consuming the substance. Even as more sporting leagues and governing bodies removed bans on cannabis, the NFL’s rules remained notoriously severe. What’s behind this shift? Is it the growing body of research into cannabis, public acceptance, or a potential change in federal policy?

Cannabis More Commonly Accepted in Sports

For some cannabis enthusiasts, the study highlights what many call a “no brainer.” The NCAA recently joined other prominent sporting leagues and organizations in removing cannabis from their list of prohibited or banned substances. Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League have similar cannabis policies in place.

The study seems to have interesting roots considering the NFL still holds to a firm no-marijuana policy. However, they have recently softened their testing procedures, limiting cannabis testing to once per year prior to training camp. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce once estimated that up to 80 percent of players in the NFL consumed cannabis.

What’s behind the new study?

The repot claims that despite the popularity of the substance and recent relaxation cannabis-policies by numerous sporting leagues, study authors say there is still a significant “knowledge gap” about the potential effects of marijuana. The report notes, “Due to prohibition, we currently have a generation of healthcare providers with minimal understanding of a substance that is increasingly available for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. This knowledge gap needs to be addressed. Restrictive policies and over-regulation have hampered an opportunity for Canada and the USA to be global leaders in cannabinoid research.”

The 27-page report uses existing research to show that cannabinoids may provide some potential therapeutic benefits. However, there is little evidence to show the value versus risks of cannabis use in athletes. There is a confusing mix of anti-drug, negative propaganda and anecdotal reports of positive health benefits. The report points out, “A focus primarily on negative messaging does not align with the anecdotal positive experiences of a growing number of people using cannabis products and contributes to a lack of trust in health policymakers.”

Study authors also call out the marijuana industry. They note that the profitable cannabis market also complicates the public’s understanding and validation of cannabis-based therapies. Basically, who can you trust to tell you the truth about cannabis?

Barriers to Information and Cannabis Research

Ask those in the scientific and medical communities about their cannabis research efforts, and you may be surprised to hear about the many challenges they face when attempting to study one of the most popular recreational substances in the U.S.

It is not easy for legitimate researchers to get their hands on cannabis, let alone study its effects. Although it is widely available in numerous states with medical and recreational marijuana policies, researchers must follow strict guidelines. They can only obtain cannabis via a handful of federally approved facilities. This bureaucratic red tape makes studying the substance time- and cost-prohibitive.

The NFL-funded study suggests that current human cannabis studies are “limited in design and interpretability.” They also say that numerous discrepancies in the therapeutic benefits of cannabis exist. Although not mentioned in the NFL-backed study, one of those discrepancies may be the newly released report that shows marijuana users have better outcomes after heart attacks. In contrast, previous studies show that marijuana consumption can hurt cardiovascular health.

Study authors at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina in Canada, who conducted the study thanks in part to a grant from the NFL, also say, “Policymakers must encourage evidence-based research to better serve their citizens and keep them safe. However, this will require an untangling of a labyrinth of research regulations that make it nearly impossible to research real-world products in a setting other than that which is funded by a commercial product developer.”

Confusing Messages for Athletes

As the study authors point out, athletes may be getting mixed messages about cannabis. Numerous leagues have moved away from strict cannabis policies and adopted more lenient or tolerant drug stances regarding marijuana. The NBA removed cannabis from its banned substances list and now allows players to invest in cannabis companies. The MLB signed a CBD company as the league’s first cannabis sponsor. While the NHL, MLB, and NBA have moved toward more progressive cannabis policies, the NFL has yet to make the same leap.

While the NFL has relaxed some of the marijuana rules, players can still find themselves in hot water for consuming cannabis, even in states where the drug is legal. Consider the story of Denver Broncos player Randy Gregory, who is suing the team and the NFL. Gregory notes that the league fined him more than half a million dollars for testing positive for THC. However, he claims the THC came from a doctor-recommended synthetic cannabinoid treatment he was taking to control anxiety, pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The NFL’s relaxed marijuana policy limits testing to the pre-season and says that the league will not suspend players for testing positive. Still, it can fine players for a positive THC test. Gregory’s attorneys claim the ban on THC infringes on Gregory’s rights under Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws.

Colorado was one of the first states in the country to legalize recreational marijuana. The sheer confusion over league rules, state law, and federal law is enough to give anyone a headache and make the decision on whether to consume cannabis for medicinal purposes complicated for athletes. It seems the NFL still has some cannabis messaging work of its own to navigate.

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