ArticleSports health2026
Inside the Minds of Professional and Elite Athletes: A Qualitative Exploration of Perspectives on Cannabinoid Use in Contact Sports.
Article in Sports health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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Who cites it
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAs 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. HYPOTHESIS: Professional and elite-level contact sport athletes exhibit inconsistent knowledge and perspectives regarding cannabis use, shaped by stigma, inadequate education, and regulatory ambiguity. STUDY
designQualitative descriptive study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.
methodsA 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.
resultsA 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.
conclusionElite 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. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: 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.
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