Survey of athletes have suggested that cannabis use is rare but it may vary by sport to sport. Hockey players have used cannabis in the past and are still using it now. The use of cannabis is not publicly seen by the players however traces of the drug is detected usually in urine samples taken for medical reasons. According to hockey rules 3 times minimum per year drug tests are done. More of these tests are carried out during the off days. Performance enhancing agents are prohibited in hockey so that only athletic skills can determine the outcome. NHL policy regarding recreational drugs is however different and a less particular from other major professional sports. Cannabis can be inhaled or ingested for many medical or even non-medical purposes hence the athletes can use it without any hassle. There are no evidence reported of cannabis to be used as a performance-enhancing drug however, the athletes consider it beneficial in many ways for their sport.
Most of the athletes are seen to begin experimenting with cannabis at a very young age. Some studies suggested a higher prevalence of cannabis use among elite athletes and other suggested the reverse this variation is related to the laws of legalization and illegalization in different parts of the country. Therapeutic potential of compounds that are derived from cannabis has been supported by recent scientific studies, which has increased the usage of cannabis among the athletes. It is believed that athlete who use cannabis are comparatively competitive then the rest of the players. It has great impact on health and performance as it helps with nausea, loss of appetite, pain and spasms. Athletes have reported improvement in spasticity, muscle pain. It helps them with their sleep time and recovery, which may favour performance when an athlete is facing multiple competition in a short period. It also helps with glaucoma, which is a leading cause of visual impairment, the THC content reduces the intraocular pressure build by this disease.
Evidence of serious harms from cannabis is not so high but anyhow an athlete should stay away from it as it may be harmful and may cause any health or mental issue at any point of time in the athletes life therefore athletes should take lessons from other recreational cannabis cases where people have faced some serious health issues like acute impairment of psychomotor skills and cognitive functions.