Why Cannabis Is Gaining Ground in Elite Sports, Plus 5 Famous Athletes Who Use Weed

Cannabis is gaining ground in elite sports because athletes are openly using it, especially CBD, for pain, sleep, anxiety and recovery rather than for performance, and sports bodies are starting to listen. World-famous names like Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and Conor McGregor have been publicly linked to weed or its therapeutic products. Despite past suspensions and bans, the mindset in top-level sport is clearly shifting.

Athletes are starting to shape how substances are regulated and understood in sports. Organizations increasingly recognize that the people actually competing deserve a voice, and that shift is a big break from elite sport's traditional thinking.

Sports, wellness and cannabis

Comments from athletes like Rodney Wallace, a former Costa Rican soccer player who represented his national team for years, make the point: they don't use cannabis to boost physical performance but to handle problems that hit lots of athletes, like migraines, insomnia, physical pain and anxiety. Elite athletes are paying more and more attention to their physical and mental well-being.

Rachael Rapinoe, a former soccer player and CEO of Mendi, champions all-natural CBD products backed by health professionals. She argues the stigma around cannabis rests on old prejudices that need to go.

How CBD may help elite athletes

CBD, the non-intoxicating compound in cannabis, is becoming a valuable tool for elite athletes. Many report it helps with stress, anxiety and pain relief. It's also used to support physical recovery, encourage healthy sleep and, for some, as a help with low mood. Athletes increasingly see CBD as a useful add-on for overall well-being.

Cannabis rules in sports are changing

The rules on cannabis in sports are evolving too. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed cannabidiol (CBD) from its banned list because it doesn't get you high, while THC remains prohibited in competition. That affects athletes in both national and international events, and in Argentina it has applied to domestic sport since January 1, 2021.

The future of cannabis in elite sports

Athletes know cannabis may have a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being. As they keep learning about the potential benefits, acceptance grows. Many believe the role of cannabis in elite sports will be officially recognized in the years ahead.

That normalization has also pulled athletes like Kevin Durant and former NBA player Al Harrington into the cannabis industry. Durant has even spoken out publicly in favor of therapeutic cannabis use.

Cannabis and therapeutic products like CBD are gaining ground in elite sports. Athletes are leading the change in rules and attitudes, recognizing its potential for well-being and for relieving a range of common athletic issues. Going forward, cannabis will likely play a bigger role in top-level sport.

5 famous athletes who use cannabis

Cannabis in sports has been a hot-button issue for a long time. Despite strict rules and anti-doping policies, some athletes have publicly admitted to using it. Here are five who've spoken about their relationship with weed.

1. Michael Phelps, the legend of the pool:

American swimmer Michael Phelps, winner of a record haul of Olympic medals, made headlines in 2009 when a photo of him hitting a bong leaked. Phelps faced consequences for it, and he later spoke openly about his struggles with anxiety and stress.

2. Usain Bolt, the laid-back sprinter:

Iconic Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, one of the fastest humans ever, has reportedly acknowledged trying weed during his career. According to those accounts, he said cannabis helped him relax and unwind after intense competitions.

3. Allen Iverson, the basketball warrior:

Former NBA star Allen Iverson has been frank about his relationship with cannabis. He has said he used it to relax and ease physical pain after grueling games, and that honesty has made him a voice for medical marijuana.

4. Carmelo Anthony, the basketball star:

Another standout NBA player, Carmelo Anthony, has voiced support for therapeutic cannabis, backing its use for pain management and recovery after injuries.

5. Conor McGregor, the MMA fighter:

Famous mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor has admitted to using cannabis. He's said it helps him relax and relieve the stress of training and fighting in the Octagon.

Where sports and weed meet:

The relationship between cannabis and sports is complicated. Some athletes say weed has helped them cope with anxiety, stress and pain, but using controlled or banned substances in sports can carry serious consequences.

Anti-doping policies vary by sports organization and by country. Attitudes toward cannabis in sports are shifting slowly, and the topic is still being debated and rewritten.

So while some athletes have opened up about cannabis, respecting anti-doping rules is non-negotiable. Sports and weed remain a complex mix that the sports world is still working out.

How does cannabis affect athletes?

How cannabis affects athletes is a complex, much-debated question. The effects can vary a lot depending on how much you use, how often, the strain (and its cannabinoid levels), how you take it and your personal tolerance. Here are some possible effects and things to consider:

1. Relaxation and stress relief:

• Some athletes report that cannabis helps them relax and decompress after intense training or competition.
• It may also lift mood and ease anxiety in some cases.

2. Pain and inflammation:

• Cannabis is often used medically for chronic pain and inflammation.
• Athletes dealing with injuries or chronic pain may turn to cannabis for relief.

3. Focus and coordination problems:

• Cannabis, especially in large amounts, can impair focus, motor coordination and reflexes.
• In sports that demand precision and coordination, like archery or gymnastics, using cannabis could hurt performance.

4. Cardiovascular capacity:

• Cannabis can affect cardiovascular capacity, which could be a real problem in endurance sports like cycling or track.
• Weed can raise your heart rate and take a toll on endurance.

5. Anti-doping rules:

• In many sports and competitions, cannabis is a banned substance under anti-doping policies.
• Athletes who test positive for banned substances can face suspensions and disqualification.

6. Motivation:

• Cannabis can sap motivation in some people, which could hurt commitment and performance in training and competition.

7. Legality and regulation:

• Whether cannabis is legal depends on where you are. In some places recreational or medical use is legal; in others it isn't.
• Athletes should know the laws and rules where they live and compete before considering cannabis.

Bottom line: cannabis affects athletes in complex ways that vary a lot from person to person. Some find it useful for managing stress and pain, but there are real risks, especially in sports that demand sharp focus and coordination. Anti-doping rules also matter, since cannabis is banned in many sports. Any athlete thinking about cannabis should weigh the possible effects and consequences carefully first.

Does weed actually improve athletic performance?

Whether weed helps or hurts athletic performance is a divisive question. Some people swear that smoking before a workout makes it better, while others see it very differently. Either way, it's worth stressing that marijuana can have negative effects on athletic performance and on overall health.

Weed contains active compounds like THC that act on the central nervous system and have psychoactive effects. Those can include reduced motor coordination, a distorted sense of time and slower reaction time, which can hurt physical performance and safety during exercise.

Weed can also cause drowsiness, low motivation and poor concentration, which works against activities that demand attention and energy.

On top of that, sports and anti-doping rules ban marijuana in most professional competitions and events. Athletes who test positive can face suspensions and other penalties.