Long-held anti-marijuana attitudes in sports leagues are “evolving” as social trends are “driving more openness to cannabis” as an alternative to opioids for treating athletes’ pain—but ongoing stigma creates trust issues that makes it harder for medical staff to do their jobs, according to a new study funded by the National Football League (NFL).
“Negative perceptions and longstanding stigma continue to shape how cannabis use is viewed among athletes, medical staff, and society, making open discussion difficult,” the study, published this week in the journal Sports Health, said. However, “medical professionals, particularly younger or research-focused staff, are increasingly seeing cannabis as a safer or more effective option than alcohol, opioids, or other prescription drugs.”
The qualitative research, which was partially funded by the joint pain management committee overseen by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, involved interviews with 10 medical staff from professional and collegiate leagues. That includes the NFL as well as the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and others.
Interviewees largely said they feel “unqualified” to assist athletes on cannabis issues due to “limited education and experience,” the researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and
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