We will consider the following in this article:
The status of cannabis in the NHL today Benefits and risks of using the substance for an athlete Experiences of players who have publicly spoken about using marijuana Possible changes and future developments which may help to alter the league’s policy on cannabis
The NHL Cannabis Policy
| League | Cannabis on Banned Substances List |
|---|---|
| NHL | No |
| NBA | Yes |
| NFL | Yes |
| MLB | Yes |
While the other major professional sports leagues in North America remain rather strict on their policy regarding cannabis use among its players, the NHL has tended to lean more to the light side of things. In fact, the NHL does not include cannabis on its list of banned substances, unlike the NBA, NFL, and the MLB.
This does not, however, give license to NHL players to use cannabis at whim. The league conducts testing for marijuana on players, but only in these situations:
- If there is reasonable cause about the player’s excessive consumption of the substance;
- If cannabis use is impairing a player’s performance on the ice.
If a player tests positive for cannabis, he is not automatically suspended or otherwise disciplined. Rather, the matters are referred to the National Hockey League Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program which provides education, counseling, and treatment opportunities for Players who have problems with substance abuse. ## Possible Benefits and Risks for Athletes
Many athletes, including NHL players, show interest in cannabis for possible therapeutic values. Some players claim that marijuana helps them deal with the following issues:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Sleep deprivation
These are the major problems in high-pressure professional sports worlds.
Also, many athletes resort to cannabis as an avenue of treatment that would keep them away from opioids and other painkillers that are powerfully addictive and dangerous. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid of cannabis that contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties helpful in recovery and injury management.
On the other hand, some of the risks associated with cannabis use in athletic activity performance include: Impaired cognitive function Diminished reaction time Decreased coordination
- Possible long-term effects on the brain and respiratory system
These factors may be adverse to a player’s performance on the ice.
Players’ Experiences and Opinions
A number of current and past National Hockey League players have gone public about using cannabis in- and post-playing career. Two examples are as follows:
- Riley Cote, former Philadelphia Flyers enforcer from 2006 to 2010
- Has gone on record discussing his medical use of cannabis to curb the physical and mental toll of being an on-ice fighter
- Founded a foundation called Hemp Heals that aims to bring awareness to the health and wellness benefits of hemp-based products
- Mike Ribeiro, former forward with the Nashville Predators
- Credited marijuana with helping him deal with the problem of substance abuse and to be sober
- Fought against inbuilt addiction to alcohol and drugs all his career life
- Said that using cannabis controlled his cravings for substances, averting relapse
Possible Future Updates and Changes
fak, attitudes toward cannabis in all walks of life and not just within the hockey community, may very well change how the NHL chooses to deal with marijuana use. Changes possibly on the horizon include:
- No longer testing for cannabis in the league’s testing program. Some argue that it is not a performance-enhancing drug and should not be treated like one.
- Medical benefits of cannabis for NHL players Research collaboration or funding by the league for clinical trials
Whatever the outcome of policy reform, one thing is certain: The social discourse on cannabis use and the NHL and other professional sports leagues will continue to shift in the coming decade.
Conclusion
Cannabis use amongst NHL players is the most intricate, dynamic issue in the world, with benefits and risks an athlete needs to consider. Although the league’s attitude towards marijuana use is rather mild compared with other professional sports, a player who uses the drug is always in danger of getting positive results and consequently, being referred to the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.
However, as more players come out to openly share their experiences with cannabis for therapeutic use, and with the continuous changing of societal attitudes toward marijuana, it’s possible that someday, the NHL’s approach toward the substance could shift. For now, though, it’s something the players must decide for themselves, weighing the potential benefits and risks of using cannabis and making an informed decision about health and well-being.
In the end, one cannot have a tight answer to the question of whether NHL players are allowed to smoke weed or not. The league policy does allow substantial discretion; however, concurrently, the players must also remain alert of the potential consequences of their actions against performance and long-term health more than anything else.
