Pro Athletes Who Support The Use of Cannabis

The conversation around cannabis has shifted in recent years as the medicinal properties of the plant have been recognized, and many athletes have begun to publicly express their support for cannabis use, both during and after exercising. 

Take a look below to learn about four professional athletes that are open about their use of cannabis and passionate about educating the public about the benefits they have experienced:

Eugene Moore

Eugene Moore is a former offensive linemen who played in the NFL for seven years, and he was the first active NFL player to advocate for cannabis use among players.

Moore is of the opinion that cannabis may be a safer alternative to opioids in regard to injury and pain management, telling the New York Times, “we now know that these drugs are not as safe as doctors thought, causing higher rates of addiction, causing death all around our country...and we have cannabis, which is far healthier, far less addictive and, quite frankly, can be better in managing pain.”

The former NFL player still uses his platform to spread awareness about the medical properties of cannabis and still advocates for cannabis use among NFL players, urging the NFL on his website “...to remove marijuana from the banned substance list; fund medical marijuana research, especially as it relates to CTE; and stop overprescribing addictive and harmful opioids.”

Nate Jackson

Nate Jackson is also a former NFL player who played as a tight end from 2002-2009. He shares the same opinion that cannabis was a better way to manage his pain than the opioids that were pushed on him during his six year NFL career. 

In a blunt Op-ed piece to LA Times, Jackson details his experience in the league, and how he received pills even when he didn’t want them. “I didn’t ask for opioids in the NFL, but every time I went to the training room to treat an injury — even an injury that didn’t require missed playing time — I was given them anyway, in addition to anti-inflammatory medication such as Vioxx and Celebrex. Pain pills were as common as shoulder pads and cleats,” wrote Jackson.

Jackson then goes on to describe the benefits he found using cannabis instead of the prescribed medications he was given. He writes, “by the time I tore my groin off the bone, in 2007, I was medicating only with cannabis. The team doctors cheered the speed at which I was healing...no pain, no inflammation, restful sleep, vigorous appetite, a clear head.” He couldn’t disclose that these results were do in part to his cannabis use at the time, but now is outspoken about the plant and its benefits for athletes and veterans.

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Ross Rebagliati

A former Canadian snowboarder and Olympic gold medal winner, Ross Rebagliati has consumed cannabis throughout his athletic career. 

Rebagliati won a gold medal during the 1998 Winter Olympics, but it was revoked after traces of THC were found in his system. Later, his medal would be restored and returned to him after the Olympic Committee admitted that cannabis was not part of their list of prohibited substances.

In 2018, the former snowboarder told the New York Times that he hopes Canada’s decision to legalize cannabis will provide him with some closure. He also founded a lifestyle brand focused around cannabis in order to “reclaim his marijuana legacy.”

Frank Shamrock

Frank Shamrock is a former MMA fighter and undefeated UFC middleweight champion who also consumed cannabis throughout his athletic care

Shamrock incurred many injuries during his 16-year competitive fighting career, and claims he used cannabis before, during, and after competitions, telling High Times Magazine, “I used cannabis during my entire sports career, from day one until the very end. I used it to recover, I used it for pain, I used oils to protect my brain.”

Shamrock now spends his time advocating for and educating people about cannabis use. He speaks at public events and is a member of Athletes for Care.

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Cannabis use among athletes hardly stops here. From MMA fighters like the Diaz brothers to world-class tennis player Julie Anthony, athletes from all different kinds of sports have advocated for cannabis’ benefits for pros and non-athletes alike!

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