The National Football League (NFL) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are rethinking their stances on cannabis, driven by emerging research showcasing its potential benefits for athletes. This shift signifies a potential new era for cannabis in sports.
In 2022, the NFL took a significant step by investing $1 million in research exploring the potential of cannabinoids for athletes. This funding, overseen by the NFL’s Pain Management Committee, focused on pain management and concussion protection. A key initiative was a clinical trial aimed at determining the optimal CBD dosage and assessing its viability as an alternative to opioids.
Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, funded by the NFL, conducted a study published in Sports Medicine. The study highlighted the significant challenges posed by ongoing federal cannabis prohibition, which has created a knowledge gap among healthcare providers. Despite the increasing availability of cannabis, many providers lack a comprehensive understanding of its effects. This research limitation, according to the report, has hindered progress in cannabinoid research in the U.S. and Canada.
The researchers called for a balanced approach to cannabis education, advocating for research on both potential benefits and risks. They stressed the need to end restrictive policies and over-regulation, which have hampered scientific efforts. The 27-page report reviewed existing research on therapeutic cannabinoids in athletes, acknowledging both potential benefits and risks of cannabis use. It emphasized the importance of evidence-based public health messaging free from stigma or misinformation.
The report acknowledged the complexities introduced by the recreational cannabis industry, which can cloud public understanding of therapeutic use. Policymakers, the authors argued, must encourage research to better serve citizens and ensure safety. The study concluded by urging changes to research regulations that limit studies on real-world cannabis products, identifying limited study designs and interpretability as major barriers to better education. They described current cannabis policies in sports as “confusing and non-standardized,” calling for consistent guidelines and comprehensive education for athletes, medical staff, and policymakers.
The NCAA made a groundbreaking move by removing cannabis from its list of banned substances for Division I players. This decision reflects the growing understanding of cannabis’s potential benefits, particularly in athletic recovery. Josh Whitman, chair of the NCAA Division I Council, stated that the NCAA’s drug testing program should focus on competition integrity, not punishing athletes for cannabis use. The NCAA’s decision aligns with the evolving scientific consensus on cannabis’s therapeutic applications, including pain management, muscle recovery, and anxiety reduction.
The NFL and NCAA’s shifts towards embracing cannabis research and removing it from banned substances lists reflect a growing understanding of its potential benefits for athletes. This could signal a significant change in the sports landscape, potentially ushering in a new era where athletes can explore cannabis as a tool for pain management, recovery, and overall well-being.
